World Cup Nights: Ecuador stun Germany, USA fall on the last kick but still top the group
The Group D, E and F block comes to a close. Overnight, Ecuador pulled off the upset: a 2-1 comeback win over Germany and a ticket to the round of 32, while in Inglewood the United States were stung 3-2 by an already-eliminated Turkey, punished with the last kick of the game, yet still finished top of Group D. The Netherlands, Japan and Sweden also advanced, with Ivory Coast reaching the knockouts for the first time in their history. Tonight, Italian time, it is the turn of Groups I, H and G: France, Spain, Belgium and Uruguay all in action.
The night's headline belongs to Ecuador. At East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium, Germany flew out of the blocks and led after just two minutes through Leroy Sane, who turned in a low Florian Wirtz cross. But La Tri, needing a win to survive, refused to wilt: Nilson Angulo levelled on 9' with a thunderous strike from outside the box, and on 77' Gonzalo Plata completed the turnaround, pouncing on a loose ball from a corner to beat an uncharacteristically shaky Manuel Neuer. It finished 2-1: Germany still topped the group, but it was Ecuador who stole the show and the knockout spot. In the other Group E game, Ivory Coast eased past Curacao 2-0, a Nicolas Pepe brace on 7' and 64', to finish second and reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Curacao, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, bow out with their heads held high.
A bittersweet night, instead, for one of the hosts. At Inglewood's SoFi Stadium the United States, fielding nine new faces from the side that beat Australia, went ahead after three minutes through Auston Trusty and clawed back to 2-2 early in the second half with a fine Sebastian Berhalter strike, only to be punished at the death: an already-eliminated Turkey turned it around to win 3-2 through Arda Guler (10'), Orkun Kokcu (31') and Kaan Ayhan's finish in the eighth minute of stoppage time. No harm done for the U.S., who had already secured top spot and will face Bosnia in the round of 32. 'We won the group,' a combative Pochettino reminded reporters, dismissing as 'a little bit petty' those already talking of lost momentum: 'You're thinking a little too small.' In the other Group D match, Paraguay and Australia cancelled each other out in a 0-0 that sends both through.
Plain sailing, finally, for the Netherlands, who beat an already-eliminated Tunisia 3-1 to top Group F: in Kansas City an Ellyes Shkiri own goal on 3' (the tournament's 12th), a Brian Brobbey tap-in on 7' and a Jan Paul Van Hecke header on 62' did the job, with Hazem Mastouri pulling one back for 2-1. In the group's other game, Japan and Sweden shared the spoils in a 1-1, Daizen Maeda on 56' and Anthony Elanga's reply on 62', to qualify together. The round-of-32 bracket is starting to take shape: the United States meet Bosnia on Wednesday in Santa Clara, Japan take on Brazil and the Netherlands face Morocco. Three mouth-watering ties already, with the rest of the grid still to be filled in.
The page turns and another block of groups closes. Tonight, Italian time, it is the turn of Groups I, H and G. We start at 9pm with Group I: in Foxborough, France take on Norway, while in Toronto Senegal-Iraq completes the picture. At 2am comes Group H, with Spain in action in Guadalajara against Uruguay and Cape Verde-Saudi Arabia in Houston. The grand finale arrives at 5am with Group G: in Seattle, Egypt face Iran, while in Vancouver New Zealand-Belgium closes out the long night. The last knockout berths are on the line, with France, Spain and Belgium all needing to pass their final group-stage exam.
On we go, one night at a time. See you tomorrow at dawn.
Highlights
In Italy, full matches are on RaiPlay.
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