Gonzalo Plata scored the all-important goal as Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Germany took the lead thanks to a strike from Leroy Sane but it was short-lived as Nilson Angulo scored Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament. The match seemed headed towards a draw when Plata scored from the corner and guided Ecuador to a historic win.
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Mateo Chavez and Julian Quinones scored in a six-minute span early in the second half, and Mexico beat the Czech Republic 3-0 on Wednesday night to win all three of its World Cup group-stage matches for the first time.The 22-year-old Chavez, in his first World Cup, opened the scoring in the 55th minute and Quinones scored his second goal of the tournament in the 61st.
South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night. Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute off a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished in second place in Group A behind Mexico, which won all three of its group-stage games.
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored to give Switzerland a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada in Group B of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the BC Place Vancouver, as both teams advanced to the knockout stage.
Manzambi, 20, who impressed off the bench with two goals in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Thursday, earned a start against Canada.
Morocco national football team booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Haiti national football team, finishing as Group C runners-up.
In a pulsating contest, Haiti stunned Morocco by taking the lead twice in the first half, showcasing fearless attacking football despite already being eliminated. However, Morocco responded each time, with captain Achraf Hakimi playing a key role in turning the tide.
Brazil defeated Scotland 3–0 in their FIFA World Cup knockout clash, with Neymar Jr and VinĂcius Jr leading a dominant display. Neymar dictated the tempo with authority, creating chances and pulling the strings in midfield, while VinĂcius Jr’s blistering pace and clinical finishing proved too much for the Scottish defence.
Germany might have sealed top spot in Group E, but Ecuador need a win to advance in the World Cup bracket, which really opens up the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Friday.
The Germans have already sealed their place in the knockout stages, which makes this game trickier to predict with a risk of Julian Nagelsmann benching starters. Although, midfielder Nadiem Amiri insists there will be no easing off. He said that he doesn’t expect Nagelsmann to experiment too much.
Tunisia against Netherlands is a match defined by contrasting circumstances before a ball is kicked.
Tunisia arrive in Kansas City already eliminated, having shipped nine goals in their two group games, and face a Netherlands side that has beaten Sweden 5-1 and played Japan to a 2-2 draw.
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar will enter Thursday’s Group B encounter in Seattle knowing that only a victory can keep their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage alive.