Fantasy Matchday 10: Gakpo and Ueda Shine in World Cup Fantasy

Matchday 10 of the FIFA World Cup Fantasy, powered by Aramco, saw attacking players take center stage after defenders dominated the previous day. Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo ($7.7m) and Japan forward Ayase Ueda ($7m) each delivered a brace and an assist, with Gakpo edging Ueda for the top score of the day with 19 points, thanks to two bonus points for four shots on target.

Netherlands Dominate Sweden

Sweden's roller-coaster tournament continued. After a 5-1 win over Tunisia in their opener, they suffered a 5-1 defeat to a rampant Netherlands side in Houston. Dutch forwards Brian Brobbey ($5.7m) and Cody Gakpo had a field day both in fantasy and real-life terms. Gakpo turned in one of the highest-scoring outings of the tournament so far.

Top Fantasy Scorers: Netherlands vs Sweden

• FWD Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) | $7.7m | 19 points
• FWD Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) | $5.7m | 15 points
• MID Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands) | $5.3m | 12 points
• DEF Gabriel Gudmundsson (Sweden) | $4.2m | -3 points
• DEF Victor Lindelof (Sweden) | $4m | -2 points
• MID Yasin Ayari (Sweden) | $5.3m | 1 point

Germany Edge Past Côte d'Ivoire in Stoppage Time

Germany needed a 94th-minute winner to see off an impressive Côte d'Ivoire side in Toronto. The comeback victory was orchestrated by substitute Deniz Undav ($6.6m), who entered in the 60th minute and scored both German goals, earning a game-high 14 fantasy points.

Top Fantasy Scorers: Germany vs Côte d'Ivoire

• FWD Deniz Undav (Germany) | $6.6m | 14 points
• MID Franck Kessie (Côte d'Ivoire) | $5.9m | 10 points
• MID Felix Nmecha (Germany) | $5.6m | 10 points
• MID Florian Wirtz (Germany) | $7.5m | 2 points
• DEF Joshua Kimmich (Germany) | $5.5m | 2 points
• DEF Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany) | $5.3m | 1 point

Curaçao Hold Ecuador in Stunning Draw

After Cabo Verde held Spain last week, Curaçao produced one of the most stunning results in recent World Cup history. Coming off a 7-1 defeat to Germany in their tournament debut, Curaçao responded with a scoreless draw against Ecuador. The match saw strong defensive returns, led by Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room ($3.9m) and Ecuadorian defenders Piero Hincapie ($4.7m) and Willian Pacho ($4.4m).

Top Fantasy Scorers: Curaçao vs Ecuador

• GK Eloy Room (Curaçao) | $3.9m | 14 points
• DEF Piero Hincapie (Ecuador) | $4.7m | 9 points
• DEF Willian Pacho (Ecuador) | $4.4m | 9 points
• FWD Enner Valencia (Ecuador) | $5.9m | 4 points
• MID Moises Caicedo (Ecuador) | $6.8m | 3 points
• FWD Jeremy Antonisse (Curaçao) | $4m | 1 point

Japan Bounce Back in 1000th World Cup Match

After dropping points to the Netherlands in their opener, Japan bounced back in style in what was the 1000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Ayase Ueda became the second player of the day to score two goals and provide an assist, earning 18 fantasy points.

Top Fantasy Scorers: Japan vs Tunisia

• FWD Ayase Ueda (Japan) | $7m | 18 points
• DEF Ko Itakura (Japan) | $4.5m | 12 points
• MID Junya Ito (Japan) | $5m | 11 points
• GK Abdelmouhib Chamakh (Tunisia) | $4.1m | -2 points
• DEF Ali Abdi (Tunisia) | $4.1m | -1 point
• MID Daizen Maeda (Japan) | $5m | 2 points

Upcoming Matches and Fantasy Tips

The second batch of group stage games is well underway. Fantasy managers still have the option to change their captains and make use of substitutes. Many will have Spanish stars available, but with ongoing fitness concerns over Lamine Yamal ($10m) and Belgian midfielder Jeremy Doku ($7.5m) already ruled out, Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal ($8.1m) could be a smart captaincy choice.

Matches scheduled for 21 June include Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Belgium vs IR Iran, Uruguay vs Cabo Verde, and New Zealand vs Egypt.