Ecuador stuns Germany to reach World Cup knockouts

Ecuador stunned Germany, 2-1, on Thursday to squeeze into the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup, while the Netherlands, Japan and Ivory Coast advanced safely as the knockout picture began to take shape.

Gonzalo Plata scored the winner 13 minutes from time at MetLife Stadium, jabbing home from close range to complete Ecuador’s comeback against the Group E winners.

Germany struck first after two minutes through a controversial Leroy Sane goal, but Ecuador responded through Nilson Angulo before Plata delivered the decisive finish.

The result gave Ecuador four points in Group E, enough to secure a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-place teams.

“The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people,” Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said after the win.

“The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please,” the Argentine coach added.

Germany had already clinched top spot in the group after wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao, but coach Julian Nagelsmann was frustrated by his side’s performance.

“We got off to a great start,” Nagelsmann said. “Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult.

“Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell — they had their foot on the gas.”

Ivory Coast sealed second place in Group E after beating Curacao, 2-0, in Philadelphia behind two goals from Nicolas Pepe.

The result sent Ivory Coast to the knockout stage for the first time.

Curacao, the smallest country by population ever to play in the World Cup, exited with one point and finished bottom of the group.

The Netherlands finished first in Group F after closing its first-round campaign with a 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City.

An Ellyes Skhiri own goal was followed by goals from Brian Brobbey and Jan Paul van Hecke as Ronald Koeman’s side advanced with another strong attacking display.

The Dutch will face 2022 World Cup semifinalist Morocco in the last 32 in Monterrey next week.

Tunisia exited the tournament without a point.

Japan finished second in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Sweden in front of 70,000 fans in Texas.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead early in the second half after a well-worked team move, but Sweden answered minutes later through a long-range Anthony Elanga strike.

Japan will next face Group C winner Brazil for a place in the last 16.

Sweden also advanced as one of the best third-place finishers after recovering from a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in its second group match.

“The boys were fantastic,” said Sweden’s English coach Graham Potter. “Over the course of the game it was a pretty fair result and arguably we were slightly the better team in the second half.”

In Group D, the United States, already assured of first place after wins over Paraguay and Australia, made nine changes and lost to eliminated Turkey, 3-2, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Mauricio Pochettino’s rotated U.S. side looked set to salvage a draw before Kaan Ayhan scored in stoppage time to give Turkey a consolation victory.

The match drew a crowd that included several celebrities, among them Brad Pitt.

Australia secured second place in Group D with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in Santa Clara, earning a ticket to the last 32.

Paraguay is also poised to advance as one of the best third-place teams.