World Cup June 25-26: Ecuador Stun Germany 2-1, USA Lose to Turkey, Netherlands Top Group F
Six group finales in one night. Plata breaks Germany, Ayhan wins it in stoppage time, Oranje go 3/3.
June 25-26 closed the group stage for six more teams - and the World Cup got its biggest shock yet.
Germany lost at MetLife Stadium. The USA won the group anyway after a last-gasp thriller. The Netherlands finished 3/3. Japan and Sweden survived. Australia scraped through.
Here is the full rundown.
Ecuador 2-1 Germany - Plata stuns the champions
Gonzalo Plata scored in the 77th minute as Ecuador came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in New Jersey.
| Min | Scorer |
|---|---|
| 2’ | Leroy Sané |
| 9’ | Nilson Angulo |
| 77’ | Gonzalo Plata |
Sané struck after 109 seconds - a controversial build-up after Aleksandar Pavlović tangled with Pedro Vite. Angulo equalised seven minutes later.
Before Thursday, Ecuador had 39 shots and zero goals in two games. Curaçao keeper Eloy Room made 15 saves against them - a World Cup record for 90 minutes.
Plata poked home after Manuel Neuer (40) failed to claim a corner flick-on. Germany had already topped Group E - their hearts were not fully in it. Ecuador’s were.
Ecuador advance as one of the best third-placed teams - first knockout run since 2006.
Ivory Coast 2-0 Curacao
In Philadelphia, Côte d’Ivoire beat Curaçao 2-0 to seal second place in Group E behind Germany.
Netherlands 3-1 Tunisia - perfect group
Ronald Koeman’s side won all three games in Kansas City:
| Min | Scorer |
|---|---|
| 3’ | Ellyes Skhiri (og) |
| 7’ | Brian Brobbey |
| ~50’ | Hazem Mastouri |
| ~60’ | Jan Paul van Hecke |
Netherlands top Group F and face Morocco in the round of 32. Tunisia leave with zero points.
Japan 1-1 Sweden - both through, Brazil awaits Japan
In Dallas, Anthony Elanga’s long-range strike helped Sweden hold Japan 1-1.
Japan finish second - and draw Brazil in the next round. Sweden likely advance as a best third-placed team with 4 points.
USA 3-2 Turkey - Ayhan wins it, hosts still top Group D
At SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Turkey beat the co-hosts 3-2 - but the USA still won Group D with 6 points.
Substitute Kaan Ayhan scored in the 8th minute of stoppage time for the already-eliminated Turks. USA rested several regulars. The crowd got a thriller. The table got what it needed.
| Team | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 6 | Group winners |
| Australia | 4 | Runners-up |
| Paraguay | 4 | Third |
| Turkey | 3 | Out |
Australia 0-0 Paraguay - Socceroos survive
Australia qualified with a gritty 0-0 draw against Paraguay in Santa Clara. Graham Arnold’s side finish second in Group D despite never looking comfortable.
What it all means
- Germany’s first loss - but they are still in. Likely round of 32 in Foxborough.
- Ecuador’s miracle run continues - possible clash with Mexico.
- USA hosts march on despite the Turkey loss.
- Netherlands vs Morocco - heavyweight clash next.
- Japan vs Brazil - the tie everyone feared.
One night, six finales, one earthquake result: at this World Cup, the group stage is never boring.