Germany finished as Group E winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite losing to Ecuador 2-1 in their final group match, while Ivory Coast secured second place with a 2-0 victory over Curaçao on Thursday.
The four-time World champions were stunned by a determined Ecuador side who had to win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, after recording only one point from their first two matches.
Despite Germany taking the lead through Leroy Sane just two minutes in, Ecuador turned the game around as Nilson Angulo found the net in the ninth minute, before Gonzalo Plato scored in the 77th minute to complete a historic comeback.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile claimed their second victory of the tournament, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Curaçao courtesy of a brace from Villarreal forward Nicolas Pépé.
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The former Arsenal man scored seven minutes in to give his side the lead, then found the net again in the 64th minute to seal a crucial victory that sends the Elephants into the round of 32.
The results mean that Germany finish top of Group E with six points, ahead of second-placed Ivory Coast with only goal difference. Despite finishing third, Ecuador’s victory sends them into the knockout stage as one of the best 3rd placed teams, while Curaçao are eliminated.
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