Overview
- Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 with Nilson Angulo’s equaliser and Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute winner, a result that guaranteed Ecuador a last‑32 spot as one of the eight best third‑placed teams on Thursday.
- Ivory Coast secured second place in Group E by defeating Curaçao 2-0 thanks to a Nicolas Pépé brace, marking the nation’s first-ever progression to the World Cup knockout round.
- Germany lost the match to Ecuador but had already sealed top spot in Group E earlier in the group stage and will face a third‑placed team from another group in the round of 32.
- The United States had already clinched Group D and coach Mauricio Pochettino said he would manage minutes and rest players who risk suspension or injury for the knockout phase.
- FIFA announced a new tournament attendance record of 3,605,357 as large diasporas and passionate home crowds shaped match atmospheres and produced emotional scenes for players, coaches and families.