Overview
- Germany sealed first place in Group E with a dramatic 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast thanks to two goals from substitute Deniz Undav, and will play a third-placed team in the round of 32 in Foxborough (Boston).
- Nadiem Amiri delivered the assist for Germany's equaliser and earned praise from Julian Nagelsmann for his immediate impact off the bench.
- Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck underwent an MRI after the Ivory Coast match and his availability will be decided on Monday, leaving a defensive spot uncertain for the knockout opener.
- Small nations and veteran players are altering tournament expectations: Kap Verde scored its first-ever World Cup goal and can still reach the knockouts with a win over Saudi Arabia, while Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room set a new record with 15 saves in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.
- FIFA changed yellow-card rules for the expanded 48-team format so some cautions are wiped after the last group match and after the quarterfinals, which is already affecting coaches' rotation and suspension risk calculations.