Groups D, E and F came to an exciting conclusion at the FIFA World Cup 26™, as the knockout rounds began to take further shape.
Ecuador were the day’s big winners, coming from behind to beat four-time champions Germany and secure their place in the final 32, whilst Ivory Coast, Japan, Netherlands and Australia confirmed their progress.
Group D
Paraguay 0 Australia 0
Both sides knew a point would likely suffice to book their spot in the knockout stages and it led, perhaps unsurprisingly, to a rather low-key match up in San Francisco.
The point does confirm Australia as the runners-up in the group, meaning they will now travel to Dallas for their Round of 32 fixture, whilst Paraguay should have enough to be one of the tournament’s highest-ranking 3rd place sides.
Tony Popovic’s team enjoyed most of the possession and shots on goal, but neither team looked likely to break the deadlock and as the match wore on, a draw seemed an inevitable conclusion.
Turkey 3 USA 2
Turkey gave their disappointing FIFA World Cup™ campaign something of a silver lining with a dramatic late victory over co-hosts USA.
Celtic defender Austin Trusty had given the home side the lead early on with a smart finish, only to be pegged back minutes later thanks to an Arda Güler equaliser. Orkun Kökcü then put Turkey in the lead just after the half hour mark to silence the mostly partisan crowd in Los Angeles.
USA responded well in the second-half however and found a deserved equaliser when Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter smashed home through a crowded penalty area to make it 2-2 after 49 minutes.
Despite having already been eliminated after their first two fixtures, Turkey battled hard and finally gave their fans something to cheer about right at the death – Kaan Ayhan sliding in at the far post to turn the ball home and give them all three points in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Group E
Curaçao 0 Ivory Coast 2
Ivory Coast confirmed their spot as runners-up in Group E with a comfortable victory over Curaçao in Philadelphia.
Villarreal winger Nicolas Pépé scored twice to give his side breathing room and set up a Round of 32 clash with either France or Norway next week.
Pépé swept in from close range after just six minutes to provide the breakthrough, before adding a second in the 64th minute with a outstanding finish on his favoured left foot.
Curaçao depart their maiden FIFA World Cup™ with their heads held high however, having given their fans plenty to cheer on the world stage.
Ecuador 1 Germany 2
Gonzalo Plata’s goal, thirteen minutes from time, completed a stunning comeback for Ecuador and all-but-sealed their place in the knockout stage, with a memorable victory over Germany.
They would have been fearing the worst when Leroy Sané swept in the opening goal for the four-time champions inside the first two minutes, but responded outstandingly, levelling matters just seven minutes later thanks to a fine Nilson Angulo strike from the edge of the area.
Sebastián Beccacece’s side worked hard and were rewarded with the winning goal in the 77th minute, when Plata reacted quickest in the penalty area to hook the ball home from a corner kick.
Whilst not guaranteed progression, Ecuador’s four points will surely see them march on to the Round of 32.
Group F
Japan 1 Sweden 1
Japan and Sweden played out a low-key affair in Dallas, in a result that guarantees the former’s progression, whilst should prove enough for the latter to qualify for the next round.
Sweden were keen to rebound from their chastening defeat to Netherlands, but spent much of the first half on the backfoot and were eventually punished early in the second period. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda timing his run to perfection, latching on to an expertly threaded ball by Ritsu Doan, before finishing calmly to give his side the lead.
Graham Potter’s side responded impressively and were level just six minutes later, when Anthony Elanga cut in from the right-hand side and fired an effort from distance into the far corner. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki may have been unsighted, reacting too late as the ball flew past his outstretched arm.
Tunisia 1 Netherlands 3
Netherlands got the result they needed to confirm their place as group winners, whilst Tunisia brought the curtain down on a dismal campaign.
The Dutch were 2-0 up after just seven minutes, first through an own goal by Ellyes Skhiri, before Brian Brobbey scored his third of the tournament to double the lead – the Sunderland striker finishing smartly to take advantage of lax Tunisian marking.
To their credit, Tunisia refused to give in and halved the deficit early in the second period. Hazem Mastouri getting his head to a Hannibal Mejbri corner and planting his effort into the bottom corner.
Any hint of nerves from the Netherlands were dealt with shortly after however, when Jan Paul van Hecke headed home from close range to reestablish the two goal lead and ensure his side would finish top of the group. They will face Morocco in the next round, whilst Japan take on Brazil.
RESULTS
Group D
Paraguay 0 Australia 0
Turkey 3 (Arda GULER 10′, Baris Alper YILMAZ 31′, Kaan AYHAN 90+8′) USA 2 (Austin TRUSTY 3′, Sebastian BERHALTER 49′)
Group E
Curaçao 0 Ivory Coast 2 (Nicolas PEPE 7, 64′)
Ecuador 2 (Nilson ANGULO 9′, Gonzalo PLATA 77′) Germany 1 (Leroy SANE 2′)
Group F
Japan 1 (Daizen MAEDA 56′) Sweden 1 (Anthony ELANGA 62′)
Tunisia 1 (Hazem MASTOURI 54′) Netherlands 3 (Own Goal 3′, Brian BROBBEY 7′, Jan Paul VAN HECKE 62′)
WHAT’S NEXT
Saturday, 27 June
Group I: Norway v France | 7am NZT (Boston)
Group I: Senegal v Iraq | 7am NZT (Toronto)
Group H: Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia | 12pm NZT (Houston)
Group H: Uruguay v Spain | 12pm NZT (Guadalajara)
Group G: Egypt v Iran | 3pm NZT (Seattle)
Group G: New Zealand v Belgium | 3pm NZT (Vancouver)
(Photo Credits FIFA via Getty Images)