NEW YORK: Ecuador produced one of the biggest shocks of the FIFA World Cup by defeating Germany 2-1 on Thursday to qualify for the last 32, while the Netherlands, Japan, Ivory Coast and Australia also booked their places in the knockout stage following the final round of Group D, E and F matches.
Sweden and Paraguay remained in contention for qualification as two of the best third-placed teams, while Curacao, Tunisia and Turkiye were eliminated from the tournament despite Turkiye’s victory over the United States.
Ecuador secured a historic place in the knockout rounds after coming from behind to beat already-qualified Germany at MetLife Stadium. Leroy Sane gave Germany an early lead before Nilson Angulo equalised and Gonzalo Plata scored the winner in the 77th minute. Germany still finished top of Group E despite the defeat.
Ivory Coast claimed second place in Group E with a 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia. Nicolas Pepe scored both goals as the West Africans reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Curacao ended its debut World Cup campaign at the bottom of the group with one point.
The Netherlands completed a perfect Group F campaign with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia to finish top of the standings. An own goal by Ellyes Skhiri, followed by strikes from Brian Brobbey and Jan Paul van Hecke, secured the Dutch victory and set up a last-32 clash with Morocco. Tunisia exited the tournament without a point.
Japan advanced as Group F runners-up after drawing 1-1 with Sweden. Daizen Maeda opened the scoring before Anthony Elanga equalised to leave Sweden in third place with hopes of progressing among the best third-placed teams. Japan will face Brazil in the last 32.
In Group D, already-qualified United States suffered their first defeat of the tournament, losing 3-2 to Turkiye after Kaan Ayhan scored a stoppage-time winner. Despite the victory, Turkiye was eliminated, while the United States finished top of the group.
Australia secured second place in Group D and advanced to the knockout stage after a goalless draw against Paraguay in Santa Clara. Paraguay finished third and remained in contention for a place in the last 32 through the best third-placed rankings.