Ecuador join Germany and Ivory Coast in the last 32 after comeback victory
La Tri recorded a memorable 2-1 comeback victory against Germany in New Jersey to keep their World Cup dream alive, advancing to the knockouts as one of the best third-place teams.
Germany, who had already locked off top spot, swiftly went in front thanks to Leroy Sane’s composed finish, before Ecuador’s Nilson Angulo equalised with a powerful effort from outside the box. Needing three points, Sebastian Beccacece’s men pushed forward and eventually found a winner in the 77th minute through Gonzalo Plata’s close-range prod into the roof of the net.
Despite only registering 39% possession, Ecuador accumulated a far higher xG (1.51 to Germany’s 0.65%) and played like a side in on a mission. The South Americans, who came second in the CONMEBOL qualification table, won their first World Cup game since 2006 to rescue their campaign after securing just one point from their opening two fixtures without scoring.
In the other Group E game, Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 in Philadelphia, with former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé notching both goals, allowing his country to reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time. This result sealed second place for the West African nation, while Curaçao’s maiden World Cup ended with a group-stage exit.
Netherlands, Japan and Sweden all progress into the knockouts
The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia to set up a mouthwatering Round of 32 tie with Morocco.
The Oranje made a lightning start in Kansas City as Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri’s own goal and Brian Brobbey’s third strike in two matches, through a thunderous close-range effort, catapulted the Netherlands into a 2-0 lead after just seven minutes. Hazem Mastouri halved the deficit in the second half, before Jan Paul van Hecke’s header confirmed the three points and first place.
Meanwhile, a 1-1 draw in Dallas between Japan and Sweden meant both countries advanced into the knockouts via second and third-place finishes. Daizen Maeda’s opener was cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s strike, with coach Graham Potter later confirming that a frustrated Elanga didn’t realise that his leveller was enough to see the Swedes go through.
The USMNT and Australia advance, while Paraguay must wait
The co-hosts’ 100% record in Group D was ended by already eliminated Türkiye, who won 3-2 in Los Angeles.
With the scores tied in stoppage time, Kaan Ayhan netted a last-gasp winner to secure his nation's first World Cup win since 2002 and give Türkiye something to celebrate after a miserable first two games of the tournament. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had already sorted their passage into the last 32, where their opponents have been confirmed as Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the simultaneous Group D kick off, Australia secured their spot in the knockouts following an uneventful 0-0 draw against Paraguay, the fourth goalless draw of the tournament. The South Americans seemed happy enough to finish third and must now wait to learn their fate as the rest of the groups play to a finish.
Groups G, H, and I are next to be concluded, and all three are tantalisingly poised, with all 12 teams' final positions awaiting confirmation.
In the early kick offs, the already qualified France and Norway face one another in Group I, leaving Senegal and Iraq to decide who finishes third.
We then move over to Group H as first-place Spain play Uruguay and the unbeaten Cape Verde meet Saudi Arabia.
To round off the drama, Group G leaders Egypt go up against Iran and New Zealand clash with a vulnerable looking Belgium.
France and Norway duel for top spot, Senegal and Iraq eye first wins
With both sides having taken maximum points from their opening two games, all eyes will be on France’s match against Norway in Boston (not least at FotMob HQ) as it’s a decider for first place in the group.
This clash will also see Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland battle for the spotlight. This pair of prolific forwards have each netted four goals at this year’s tournament and are both one strike away from top-scorer Lionel Messi.
Meanwhile, Senegal and Iraq, who have lost both of their fixtures, will kick off simultaneously in Toronto, with the two of them seeking a hefty victory to propel them into the knockouts as one of the best third-placed sides. That could become a very open game.
Spain aim to cement first place and Cape Verde target history
The possibilities are endless in Group H, where Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are all waiting to figure out their World Cup destiny.
Reigning European champions Spain are currently top, with four points, and they’ll be looking to solidify their grip on first place in Guadalajara with a victory over Uruguay, who have massively underwhelmed under the unpopular Marcelo Bielsa.
Competition debutants Cape Verde are busy writing new history for their nation, and are the first new team to go unbeaten in their first two games at a World Cup since Senegal in 2002, thanks to commendable draws against Spain and Uruguay. The Blue Sharks have a real chance of reaching the last 32 and will fancy their chances in Houston against bottom-place Saudi Arabia, who were thumped 4-0 by Spain in their previous outing.
Egypt are on a roll and Belgium are on the brink
Egypt entered uncharted territory following their most recent fixture by beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver to register a first ever World Cup win, giving them a two-point buffer at the top of the group. Hossam Hassan’s men are on the verge of another groundbreaking achievement: to advance into the knockouts for the first time, and they look set to seal this against Iran, who are second, courtesy of two hard-fought draws.
There’s no hiding from the facts for Belgium, and after failing to outscore Egypt or Iran, they must now beat fourth-place New Zealand if they are serious about progressing into the last 32.
Given that just three points separate all four teams, no one’s position is secure, leaving the group hanging in the balance ahead of a pivotal matchday.
