Ecuador pulled off a major upset against Germany on Thursday to secure a place in the round of 32 of the World Cup, as the Netherlands, Japan and Ivory Coast also advanced and the knockout bracket began to take shape.

The Netherlands completed their group stage with a 3-1 win over Tunisia to finish top of Group F, just ahead of Japan, which earned second place after a 1-1 draw with Sweden.

Sweden also moved on as one of the best third-place finishers.

The Dutch will now meet 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco in the round of 32, while Japan will take on Group C winner Brazil for a place in the round of 16.

In Group E, Ecuador sealed a tense 2-1 win over group winner Germany at MetLife Stadium. The breakthrough came 13 minutes from time when Gonzalo Plata poked home from close range, sending Ecuador through and shaking up the group standings.

Plata’s winner came after Ecuador recovered from an early setback when Germany took the lead through a controversial Leroy Sane goal in the second minute before Nilson Angulo equalized.

The result means Ecuador finished Group E with four points, securing a place in the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-place teams.

“The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people,” Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said after the win.

“The players gave huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate,” the Argentine coach added.

Germany had already been assured of winning the group after victories over Ivory Coast and Curacao.

But coach Julian Nagelsmann was left dismayed at what he described as “tactical suicide” against Ecuador.

“We got off to a great start,” Nagelsmann said. “Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult.

“Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell. They had their foot on the gas.”

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, sealed the runners-up spot in Group E after defeating Curacao in Philadelphia, with Nicolas Pepe scoring twice in a 2-0 victory. It is the first time the West African nation has reached the knockout stage.

Curacao, the smallest country by population ever to play in the World Cup, departed the tournament with one point, finishing bottom of the group.

A packed slate of six games across the tournament on Thursday wrapped up in California in Group D.

The United States, which had already secured first place in the group after wins over Paraguay and Australia, fielded a heavily rotated lineup in a 3-2 loss to already eliminated Turkey at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to his starting lineup and looked to have secured a draw until Kaan Ayhan scored in stoppage time to give the Turks the win in a match attended by a host of celebrities, including Brad Pitt.

In Santa Clara, Australia ground out a 0-0 draw with Paraguay to clinch second place in the group and a ticket to the round of 32.

Paraguay are also poised to advance as one of the best third-place teams.

Dutch attack firing

The Netherlands will head into next week’s duel with Morocco in Monterrey brimming with confidence after another strong attacking display in Group F, a 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City.

An Ellyes Skhiri own goal was followed by goals from Brian Brobbey and Jan Paul van Hecke as Ronald Koeman’s side marched on against a Tunisia team that finished without a point.

Japan’s hopes of finishing top of the group and avoiding Brazil in the next round were frustrated in a 1-1 draw with Sweden.

A match in front of 70,000 fans in Texas came alive in the second half when Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead with a well-worked team goal shortly after the break.

Sweden, which had been beaten 5-1 by the Netherlands in its second match, responded with a long-range effort from Anthony Elanga minutes later to secure third place.

“The boys were fantastic,” Sweden coach Graham Potter said. “Over the course of the game it was a fair result and arguably we were slightly the better team in the second half.”

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Türkiye ended their FIFA World Cup campaign with a measure of redemption on Friday, as Kaan Ayhan struck with virtually the final kick of the match to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over co-hosts the United States, handing Vincenzo Montella’s side their first and only win of the tournament.

Already eliminated after narrow defeats to Australia and Paraguay despite dominating long stretches of both matches, Türkiye finally found the cutting edge that had eluded them throughout the group stage. Ayhan’s dramatic winner, deep into the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, ensured the Crescent-Stars left the tournament with three points and something positive to build on.

The result had no bearing on qualification. The United States had already secured top spot in Group D with victories over Paraguay and Australia and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California. Still, the entertaining contest delivered five goals, end-to-end action and a dramatic finale before a packed crowd in Southern California.

The Americans, heavily rotated by coach Mauricio Pochettino, struck almost immediately.

Auston Trusty needed just three minutes to open the scoring, meeting Sebastian Berhalter’s inswinging corner with a first-time finish at the near post for his first international goal in his 10th appearance.

The early breakthrough briefly energized the home crowd, but the makeshift U.S. lineup struggled to establish any rhythm as Türkiye began exploiting the spaces between midfield and defense.

Their persistence paid off in the 10th minute.

Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler, one of Türkiye’s brightest performers throughout the tournament, collected a pass from Barış Alper Yılmaz before calmly finishing to score Türkiye’s first goal of the World Cup and level the match at 1-1.

The goal also placed Güler in the history books. At 21 years and 120 days, he became the youngest Turkish player ever to score at a World Cup, surpassing Emre Belözoğlu’s record set in 2002.

Türkiye continued to dictate the tempo after the equalizer and completed the turnaround in the 31st minute.

Orkun Kökçü’s effort took a slight deflection off Yılmaz before beating goalkeeper Matt Turner, who was making his first start of the tournament after Matt Freese featured in the opening two matches.

The United States thought they had reclaimed the lead moments earlier through Mark McKenzie following another dangerous set piece, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Instead, Türkiye entered halftime ahead 2-1 after producing their most effective attacking display of the tournament.

The hosts responded quickly after the break.

Berhalter, who had already assisted the opening goal, capped an impressive performance in the 49th minute when Türkiye failed to clear a long throw-in, allowing the midfielder to unleash a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Pochettino then welcomed back his biggest attacking weapon.

Christian Pulisic made his return in the 58th minute after missing the Australia match and recovering from the calf injury that forced him off at halftime against Paraguay.

The U.S. captain immediately injected pace and urgency into the attack. Within minutes, he burst behind the Turkish defense only to be denied by goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır before forcing another superb fingertip save with a deflected effort moments later.

Despite the renewed pressure, Türkiye remained dangerous on the counterattack and continued to expose gaps in the American defense.

Montella, who made seven changes to his starting lineup after the team’s elimination, watched his substitutes make the decisive impact.

As stoppage time ticked away and the match appeared destined to finish level, chaos unfolded inside the U.S. penalty area.

Following sustained pressure, the ball broke kindly to substitute Kaan Ayhan at the far post, where the experienced defender calmly poked into an unguarded net in the eighth minute of added time, silencing the crowd and completing a memorable Turkish comeback.

The victory offered long-awaited reward for a Turkish side that had fired 62 shots across its previous two defeats but failed to score. This time, their attacking intent finally translated into goals and, ultimately, a victory.

For the United States, attention now quickly turns to the knockout stage, though concerns remain after Trusty was carried off on a stretcher late in the match with an apparent hamstring injury.

Pochettino had rested several regular starters, including Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, all of whom were carrying yellow cards and risked suspension before disciplinary records reset after the group stage.

Five Americans, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie and Giovanni Reyna, made their first World Cup starts as part of the heavily rotated lineup.

Although the defeat denied the Americans a perfect group-stage record, their place atop Group D had already been secured.

For Türkiye, however, Ayhan’s last-gasp finish provided a fitting reward after a frustrating tournament, allowing Montella’s side to return home with renewed confidence instead of lingering regret.

Among those attending the match at Los Angeles Stadium were Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Paris Hilton.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Senegal arrive at BMO Field on Friday with no margin left for error, needing a win over Iraq and a strong goal swing to stay alive in the 2026 World Cup race from Group I.

The situation is stark. Only the top eight third-placed teams advance, and Senegal sit at the bottom of that mini-table after a campaign defined by defensive mistakes and missed chances. Anything short of a convincing result would almost certainly end their tournament in North America.

Expectations were different when the draw placed Senegal alongside France and Norway. Instead of competing for top spot or a comfortable second-place route, Pape Thiaw’s side have been dragged into survival mode.

The turning point came in key moments they failed to control. Against France, Senegal held shape early and matched intensity for long stretches, but the game tilted once Kylian Mbappe began finding space between the lines. Senegal’s structure collapsed in phases, and a competitive performance turned into a damaging defeat.

The pattern repeated against Norway. Senegal’s back line, led by Kalidou Koulibaly, struggled with transitions and set-piece pressure. A 3-2 loss exposed repeated breakdowns in concentration rather than tactical imbalance alone. Koulibaly’s substitution late in the match underlined a difficult night for the captain and a wider defensive unit under strain.

Across the group stage and recent matches, Senegal have conceded three goals in three of their last four outings. Only one clean sheet in that stretch, a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, has added to concerns about game management rather than attacking output.

Even so, the attacking core offers a path back into contention. Sadio Mane has influenced phases of play without producing a signature tournament performance. Ismaïla Sarr has shown direct threat, bouncing back after his missed chance against France with a more aggressive display versus Norway. Nicolas Jackson continues to grow into a supporting role, adding movement and an assist even in defeat.

The defensive situation remains uncertain. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is out with a knee injury, removing a key voice and shot-stopper from the back line. Thiaw must decide whether to persist with Koulibaly at the center of defense or adjust with alternatives such as Mamadou Sarr or Abdoulaye Seck depending on balance and recovery.

For Senegal, the arithmetic is simple but unforgiving. They likely need not just three points but a multi-goal victory to climb the third-place ranking and stay in contention for a knockout berth. That reality shapes both selection and approach, pushing them toward urgency without defensive exposure.

Iraq arrive in an even tighter position, but with less external expectation. Their group stage has been defined by heavy defeats to Norway and France, conceding seven goals across those matches and struggling to sustain pressure for long spells.

Under coach Graham Arnold, Iraq have shown moments of structure and discipline, including a respectable draw against Spain in earlier international play. But at the tournament itself, those signs have not translated into consistency.

Their biggest concern now is fitness. Forward Aymen Hussein, their main attacking outlet and only scorer at the finals so far, is a major doubt after leaving the pitch early with injury. His absence would remove their focal point in transition and set pieces.

If Hussein cannot start, Iraq may turn to Mohanad Ali, whose experience offers presence in the box, or Ali Al-Hamadi to stretch Senegal’s back line and exploit space behind an aggressive setup.

Tactically, the match sets up as a contrast in urgency. Senegal must push, likely controlling possession and territory, while Iraq will look for counters and set pieces, especially given Senegal’s recent defensive volatility. The danger for Thiaw’s side is clear: overcommitment could open the same gaps that France and Norway already exploited.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

South Africa reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 win over South Korea on Wednesday night.

Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute, finishing a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi, as South Africa secured second place in Group A behind Mexico, which swept all three group matches.

South Africa will face Canada, the Group B runner-up, in a knockout match Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Maseko finished with five shots in the match and now leads South Africa with eight in the tournament.

Asked what he would tell his younger self after the milestone, the Mamelodi Sundowns forward said: “The one thing I would say is ‘keep dreaming.’”

South Africa began its campaign with a 2-0 loss to Mexico, followed by a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic before entering its final group match needing a win to advance. Known as Bafana Bafana, South Africa had previously failed to progress from the group stage in 1998, 2002 and 2010 as host.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos praised the belief within his squad despite the difficult start to the tournament.

“The mentality in this group is amazing,” Broos said. “Everybody is working for everybody. We are not afraid of other teams.”

Sphephelo Sithole, who was sent off in the opening match against Mexico, also earned a start and helped South Africa keep a clean sheet.

“In the first two, three days, it wasn’t easy,” Sithole said. “I needed to pick myself up. I’m very proud of myself because I did.”

Maseko, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, missed two early chances before scoring the winner.

The 22-year-old received the ball on the right side of the box, cut inside and struck a low left-footed shot through a defender’s legs into the bottom corner.

South Africa’s substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate Maseko’s first World Cup goal.

At the final whistle, players and staff embraced on the field in celebration.

“For me, the final whistle was a rush of emotions, not only because we won the game, but also because it will probably be one of the last games of my career,” said Broos, who is 74. “When you can end a career in this way, I think every coach dreams of it.”

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo raised eyebrows by leaving Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup, opting instead to use him as a substitute. He said he preferred bringing Son on when South Africa’s defenders were tiring.

“If I knew the result beforehand, I probably would have made some different choices,” Hong said. “On the world stage like this, the responsibility is ultimately down to the head coach.”

South Korea opened the tournament with a 2-1 comeback win over the Czech Republic and lost 1-0 to Mexico in its second match. The Taegeuk Warriors could still advance, depending on other results this week.

South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the knockout stage in 2002, when they finished fourth. They also advanced from the group stage in 2010 and 2022, reaching the round of 16 both times.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Norway and France meet Friday at Gillette Stadium with Group I leadership and knockout-stage positioning on the line after both sides opened the 2026 World Cup with perfect records.

The Vikings arrive with momentum and a clear identity built on direct, high-tempo attacking football.

Their tournament began with a statement 4-1 win over Iraq, where Erling Haaland struck twice and consistently stretched the defense with his physical runs and early movement in the box.

That win immediately signaled Norway were not in the tournament to simply compete but to challenge established powers for control of the group.

Their second match against Senegal tested a different side of Ståle Solbakken’s team.

Norway were forced to defend deeper spells and manage pressure, but still found a way through in a 3-2 win that exposed both their attacking edge and defensive vulnerability.

Six points from six keeps them level with France, yet second on goal difference, a detail that now shapes the stakes in Foxborough.

A win is required to take top spot and potentially secure a more favorable knockout draw.

The tactical challenge is significant. Norway’s attacking structure leans heavily on early service into Haaland and aggressive transitions through midfield runners. When that rhythm is disrupted, they can become stretched, particularly against teams that dominate possession and force long defensive sequences.

France national football team enter the match with similar form but greater control across both games. Didier Deschamps’ side opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal, where Kylian Mbappe delivered another decisive performance, including a brace that reinforced his central role in France’s attack. Their second outing against Iraq was more controlled, a 3-0 win that highlighted squad depth, game management and defensive structure.

France’s edge has been balance. While Mbappe remains the primary threat in transition and isolation situations, France have also varied their attacking sources, with Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue rotating through wide roles and adding pace between the lines. Midfield decisions remain fluid, with competition for places shaping Deschamps’ selection approach as he weighs stability against energy.

Defensively, France have been largely secure, allowing limited sustained pressure across both matches. That control is key heading into a fixture where a draw is enough to guarantee first place in Group I. Still, internal expectations remain higher, with a clean sweep in the group stage a target not achieved since the 1998 World Cup.

Personnel remains a subplot. Norway may be forced into a backline adjustment after injury concerns around Julian Ryerson, with Marcus Pedersen expected to step in. That change could affect Norway’s ability to build cleanly from deeper positions under pressure from France’s forward press.

For France, selection questions sit higher up the pitch. Rotation between Barcola and Doue continues, while midfield balance between Aurelien Tchouameni and other options remains under evaluation. Lucas Digne and Manu Kone’s recent performances have also added competition for starting roles, giving Deschamps multiple configurations depending on game plan.

The individual duel at the center of attention remains clear. Haaland has scored four goals in two matches and enters as one of the tournament’s top scorers, offering Norway a constant outlet and finishing edge. Mbappe, also on four goals, continues to define France’s tempo in the final third, combining acceleration with clinical finishing that has consistently separated tight matches.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Germany have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side still have history in their sights when they face Ecuador in their final Group E match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Thursday.

Die Mannschaft arrive with maximum points from their opening two matches and are guaranteed to finish atop the group. Ecuador, meanwhile, are staring at a potential early exit and may need nothing less than a victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Germany’s campaign began in emphatic fashion with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao before they showed a different side of their game in a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast. Trailing with less than 30 minutes remaining, the four-time world champions turned the match around thanks to substitute Deniz Undav, who struck twice, including a stoppage-time winner that sent Germany into the last 32.

Undav has emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars. The Stuttgart forward has contributed three goals and two assists in just two appearances, matching the most goal involvements by a substitute at a single World Cup since detailed records began in 1966. His impact has drawn comparisons with Roger Milla’s legendary supersub performances for Cameroon at the 1990 tournament.

While Germany have not consistently produced their most fluent football, they remain the competition’s highest-scoring team with nine goals. The victory over Ivory Coast also extended their winning streak across all competitions to 11 matches, their best run in nearly half a century.

Another win would equal the national team’s record of 12 consecutive victories, achieved by West Germany between 1979 and 1980. It would also mark Germany’s first perfect World Cup group-stage campaign since the 2006 tournament on home soil.

Despite their attacking firepower, Germany still have defensive questions to answer. They have conceded in five of their last six matches and have not kept a World Cup clean sheet since defeating Argentina in the 2014 final. Nagelsmann will be eager to tighten those weaknesses before the knockout phase begins.

For Ecuador, the tournament has been defined by frustration.

Sebastian Beccacece’s side have collected just one point from their first two matches despite creating enough chances to be in a much stronger position. They struck the woodwork three times before suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast through a late winner, then dominated Curacao in a scoreless draw only to be denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Eloy Room.

La Tri registered 27 shots against Curacao but failed to score, with 15 efforts stopped by Room in one of the standout goalkeeping displays of the tournament.

The inability to convert chances has become a recurring problem. Ecuador drew five of their eight pre-tournament friendlies and played out eight draws during South American qualifying. Since July 2024, they have been involved in nine goalless matches, highlighting a long-standing struggle to turn possession and opportunities into goals.

Currently third in Group E on goal difference, Ecuador realistically need a victory against Germany to have a chance of advancing. Even a draw would likely leave them short of the points required to progress among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

History offers little encouragement. Ecuador have lost both previous meetings with Germany, conceding seven goals and scoring only twice. They are also in danger of becoming just the second South American nation after Bolivia to complete a World Cup campaign without finding the net.

Germany will be forced into at least one change after defender Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury suffered against Ivory Coast. Antonio Rudiger, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw are all candidates to step into the starting lineup.

With qualification already secured, Nagelsmann is expected to rotate his squad. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann could be handed a start, while David Raum, Leon Goretzka, Angelo Stiller and Nadiem Amiri are also pushing for opportunities.

The Germany coach has also hinted that Undav’s outstanding form could earn him a place in the starting attack ahead of Kai Havertz. Jamie Leweling and Maximilian Beier are among the options to provide fresh legs in wide positions.

Ecuador enter the match with a fully fit squad and no major injury concerns. Beccacece is expected to remain largely faithful to the team that drew with Curacao, although tactical adjustments could be made.

Alan Franco may move into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Pedro Vite after operating in defense last time out, while Jordy Alcivar’s place in the side appears less certain.

Much of Ecuador’s hopes will rest on veteran captain Enner Valencia. The 36-year-old remains the country’s all-time leading scorer and is one goal away from reaching the 50-goal milestone for his national team. Valencia is expected to lead the line alongside Gonzalo Plata as Ecuador seek the goals that have so far eluded them.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.