Ecuador edges out Germany with 2-1 victory, advancing to World Cup's round of 32

Ecuador secured a spot in the last 32 of the World Cup with a stunning 2-1 upset over Germany on Thursday, while Ivory Coast eliminated Curacao to advance to the knockout rounds.

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The decisive goal in the Ecuador-Germany match was scored by Gonzalo Plata 13 minutes from time, as he jabbed the ball home from close range to seal the South American team's victory at the MetLife Stadium.

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Plata's winner came after Ecuador had recovered from a controversial Leroy Sane goal that gave Germany the lead just two minutes into the game, and a subsequent equalizer from Nilson Angulo.

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The result gave Ecuador four points in Group E, guaranteeing them a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams, while Germany had already secured the top spot in the group with previous wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao.

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Ivory Coast, meanwhile, claimed the runners-up spot in Group E with a 2-0 victory over Curacao in Philadelphia, courtesy of two goals from Nicolas Pepe, marking the west African nation's first-ever trip to the knockout stage.

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Curacao, the smallest country by population to participate in the World Cup, was eliminated from the tournament with just one point, finishing at the bottom of Group E.

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The Group E matches were part of a busy slate of six games on Thursday that will help clarify the shape of the knockout rounds, with the United States already having clinched top spot in Group D.

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The US is set to face already-eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles, with coach Mauricio Pochettino expected to rest several players, including Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, and Folarin Balogun, who are at risk of suspension if they receive another yellow card.

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A strong start to the tournament has raised hopes that the US can make a deep run, having not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 2002.

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Australia and Paraguay will face off in a battle for second place in Santa Clara, where a draw would favor the Socceroos due to their superior goal difference, but could also be enough to send Paraguay through to the next round.

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Group F remains wide open, with the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden all still in contention for first place, ahead of the Dutch match against a struggling Tunisia team in Kansas City.

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Tunisia has suffered consecutive four-goal defeats and sacked their coach after the opening game, with new coach Herve Renard unable to change their fortunes in a 4-0 loss to Japan that eliminated them from the tournament.

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Japan is level with the Netherlands on four points going into their clash with Sweden in Arlington, after the Swedes were thrashed 5-1 by the Dutch following a strong start to the tournament.

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Brazil secured first place in Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami on Wednesday, with Neymar making his first international appearance since October 2023.

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Scotland now faces an anxious wait to see if they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams, while co-hosts Mexico sailed into the last 32 with a perfect Group A record after defeating the Czech Republic 3-0.

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South Africa pulled off a shock 1-0 win over South Korea to grab second place in Group A, marking their first-ever qualification for the knockout stage and sparking late-night celebrations across the country.

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The victory set off jubilant scenes in South Africa, with fans singing and honking vuvuzelas from 5:00 am, and Soweto resident Nandi Ntini describing the celebrations as lasting for over an hour after the game, with fireworks and cheering outside her home.