Another busy day is underway at the FIFA World Cup as Ivory Coast reached the knockouts for the first time. Ecuador stunned Germany, the Netherlands topped Group F, and Japan and Sweden advanced. Meanwhile, Türkiye shocked the USA and Australia drew with Paraguay to progress.
Former Arsenal F.C. forward Nicolas Pepe struck twice as Ivory Coast secured second place in Group E and reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history.
Emerse Fae’s side only needed a point to progress, but took control early in Philadelphia. Pepe opened the scoring inside seven minutes after Yan Diomande capitalised on a defensive lapse and squared for the winger to slot home.
Curacao showed flashes of attacking intent through Jurien Gaari, Tahith Chong and Leandro Bacuna, but carried little real threat. Their hopes faded after the hour mark when Ibrahim Sangare released Pepe in the box, and the former Arsenal man calmly finished for his second to seal a historic win for Les Elephants.
Ecuador booked their place in the Round of 32 with one of their biggest World Cup victories, coming from behind to beat group winners Germany.
Germany struck first through Leroy Sane, whose early finish marked the country’s quickest World Cup goal since 1934. But Ecuador responded within seven minutes through Nilson Angulo, who fired through traffic to level.
The decisive moment came late on when Gonzalo Plata bundled home from close range after Kevin Rodriguez flicked on a corner, sealing a famous comeback. Despite defeat, Germany still topped Group E on goal difference, while Ecuador advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Netherlands topped Group F after a commanding win over Tunisia in Kansas City.
The Dutch were gifted an early opener when Tunisian captain Ellyes Skhiri turned Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net. Brian Brobbey doubled the lead minutes later with his third goal of the tournament after a headed assist from Virgil van Dijk.
Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback when Hazem Mastouri pulled one back in the second half, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion with a header that deflected in. The result sent the Netherlands through as group winners and set up a last-32 meeting with Morocco.
Japan and Sweden both progressed after a tense draw in Dallas.
After a cautious first half, Japan broke through early in the second period when Daizen Maeda finished off a slick move orchestrated by Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda.
Sweden responded quickly thanks to a moment of brilliance from Anthony Elanga, whose curling long-range strike beat Zion Suzuki to level the match.
The result guaranteed Japan second place in Group F, setting up a daunting clash with Brazil, while Sweden advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and now await their Round of 32 opponent.
Türkiye claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over a much-changed United States side, with Kaan Ayhan scoring deep into stoppage time. Despite the defeat, the USA had already secured top spot in Group D and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32. Sebastian Berhalter scored and assisted for the Americans, while Arda Güler and Barış Alper Yılmaz were also on target for Türkiye, who had already been eliminated.
Australia and Paraguay played out a goalless draw that was enough to keep both sides on course for the World Cup round of 32, with the Socceroos finishing second in Group D on goal difference after edging a largely uneventful contest.
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