Ecuador stuns Germany 2-1 to reach Round of 32
Ecuador produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, defeating four-time champions Germany 2-1 to secure a place in the knockout stage. The victory was only the second time Ecuador have progressed beyond the group stage, the first being in 2006 when they reached the Round of 16 before losing to England.
Germany took an early lead through Leroy Sane, whose goal at 1 minute and 49 seconds became the nation's second-fastest in World Cup history, behind only Ernest Lehner's strike in 1934. However, Ecuador fought back to win, marking just the second time they have come from behind to win a World Cup match, the first being against Honduras in 2014, according to ESPN.
The defeat was Germany's first-ever World Cup group-stage loss to a South American opponent. Previously, Germany had remained unbeaten in 10 such encounters, with seven wins and three draws. The result also ended Ecuador's 13-year wait for a victory over a UEFA nation, their previous triumph coming in 2013 when they beat Portugal 3-2 in a friendly.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer equalled Lothar Matthaus and Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup appearances by a German player, making his 22nd start.
Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden also advance
Ivory Coast booked their spot in the Round of 32 with a 2-0 win over Curacao. Nicolas Pepe scored a brace, becoming only the second player from his country to score two goals in a World Cup match, emulating Arouna Dindane against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. At 31 years and 27 days, Pepe became the second-oldest African player to score a brace, trailing only Cameroon legend Roger Milla.
Youngster Yan Diomande also made history. At 19 years and 223 days, he became the first African teenager since 1994 to register an assist in a World Cup match. Diomande has created 10 chances in the tournament, the joint-highest tally alongside England's Declan Rice and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi.
The Netherlands continued their strong run with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia to finish top of their group. Striker Brian Brobbey became only the third player in World Cup history to score with each of his first three shots at the tournament, joining Hungary's Laszlo Kiss (1982) and Colombia's Yerry Mina (2018). The Dutch side extended their remarkable consistency, having progressed from the group stage in all 10 of their World Cup appearances, the best 100% record of any team. They scored 10 goals in the group stage, equalling their highest tally at this phase, also achieved in 2014. The Netherlands have not lost a group-stage match since 1994 against Belgium, an unbeaten run of 19 games.
Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw, with both teams advancing. Japan forward Daizen Maeda became only the third Japanese player to score in multiple World Cups, joining Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki. Yuto Nagatomo became the first Asian player to feature in five editions (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). Japan qualified for the knockout stage for the third consecutive World Cup but have yet to win a knockout match; they will face Brazil in the Round of 32.
Sweden advanced for the fifth successive World Cup appearance. Their four outside-the-box goals in the group stage made them the first team in 20 years to achieve that feat, matching Brazil's tally from the 2006 group stage.
Turkiye edges USA 3-2; Australia advances
In another Group D fixture, Turkiye defeated the United States 3-2 in a match that had no impact on qualification. Auston Trusty's goal was the 173rd of the 2026 World Cup, setting a new record for most goals in a single edition. Arda Guler became Turkiye's youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer at 21 years and 120 days. Kaan Ayhan's stoppage-time winner in the eighth minute of added time became the latest match-winning goal conceded by the United States in World Cup history.
Australia secured second place in their group after a goalless draw with Paraguay. Paraguay managed just one shot in the first half, their lowest total in a single half since 1966, and the fewest shots Australia have faced in the first half of a World Cup match. Australia advanced to the knockout stage for the third time in their history and remain unbeaten against Paraguay, with two wins and four draws in six meetings. Paraguay is the only South American team Australia have faced and never lost to.
Turkey endured a difficult campaign, conceding 12 goals in the group stage, the most by any team since North Korea also shipped 12 in 2010.
