Ecuador and Ivory Coast Qualify for World Cup Knockout Stage
Ecuador and Ivory Coast men's national football teams secured their spots in the World Cup knockout stage after winning their matches on Thursday.
Ivory Coast defeated Curaçao 2–0 to secure second place in Group E. Nicolas Pepe scored the first goal in the seventh minute after a play in the penalty area. Early in the second half, Pepe received a pass from Ibrahim Sangaré and doubled the lead by cutting into the box and beating the goalkeeper. Curaçao had scoring opportunities but failed to convert.
Ecuador surprised four-time world champion Germany with a 2–1 comeback win. Germany had already secured a knockout spot. Leroy Sané put Germany ahead in the second minute, but Ecuador protested, claiming Sané played dangerously by kicking a player in the head. Minutes later, Nilson Angulo capitalized on a German defensive error to make it 1–1. Early in the second half, a penalty was awarded to Germany but was overturned after a video review. With less than 15 minutes remaining, Gonzalo Plata scored from a corner kick to give Ecuador the lead, which they held.
In Group E standings, Germany finished first with six points, Ivory Coast second with the same points but a worse goal difference, Ecuador third with four points, and Curaçao last with one. In the first round, Germany crushed Curaçao 7–1, Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1–0; in the second round, Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2–1, and Ecuador drew 0–0 with Curaçao.
Late Thursday matches include Japan vs. Sweden and Netherlands vs. Tunisia in Group F, and USA vs. Turkey and Paraguay vs. Australia in Group D. Several teams have already qualified for the knockout stage, including the USA, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, France, Norway, Argentina, and Colombia.
This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, hosted by Mexico, the USA, and Canada. The top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance. The group stage ends June 27, knockout matches start June 28, semifinals on July 14 and 15, the third-place match on July 18, and the final on July 19. Argentina are the defending champions, having won in 2022.
