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Josh Ball

Reuters

Ecuador boss Sebastian Beccacece said before his side’s must-win clash with Germany that he expected to lose his job if they did not make “the impossible possible”.
A remarkable performance in New Jersey means he doesn’t need to worry about polishing his CV just yet, and can rather turn his attention to a potential clash with England in the last 32 after a nail-biting triumph at MetLife Stadium, where fans were reduced to tears long before the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win.
Curacao, meanwhile, are heading home after their fairy tale run was ended by Ivory Coast, whose 2-0 victory sealed their runners-up spot in Group F behind Germany.
Two more games start at 7am, with the fight to finish top of Group F the main attraction to the clashes between Netherlands and Tunisia, and Japan against Sweden.
Later on, the United States will look to maintain their 100 per cent record against Turkey, while their Group D rivals Paraguay take on Australia. But until then, here’s a quick look at what happened overnight.

Seven minutes of hell
There has rarely been fewer than six minutes of stoppage time at the end of matches in this World Cup, Ecuador and their fans had to endure 60 seconds more, and it was all too much for some.
A nerve-shredding conclusion to an enthralling contest had Beccacece prowling his box like a caged animal, substitutes chewing on their shirts and most of the 80,000-plus fans struggling to watch.
Their side had already put them through the full gamut of emotions. There was the low of going behind early to Leroy Sane’s second-minute strike when all in the stadium expected VAR to rule it out for a foul in the build-up.
The high of Nilson Angulo’s well-struck equaliser seven minutes later, the heart-in-mouth moments when Germany attacked, the penalty that wasn’t just 30 seconds after the break when Kai Havertz was upended in the box, only for VAR to ride to Ecuador’s rescue and overturn it because Sane fouled Pedro Vite in the build-up.
And then the ecstasy that followed Gonzalo Plata getting the final touch to Kevin Rodriguez’s flick-on from a corner in the 77th minute.
Finally, stoppage time and the tired clearances of a side that had given their all. Often the ball went straight back to Germany, or was sliced into the stands, but never was their relief. Until Plata won a free-kick deep into the German half, and a minute of delay brought the end, and sent Beccacece racing into the stands.
“The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people,” an emotional Beccacece said. “The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please.”
While the result secured Ecuador’s spot as one of the best third place teams, it pushed Scotland into the last of those eight places, and a point for either Cabo Verde or Belgium in their games against Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, respectively, will be enough to send Steve Clarke’s side home.

Pepe the hero
Nicolas Pepe’s double sealed Ivory Coast’s first trip to the World Cup knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday to finish second in Group E.
Curacao became the eighth team eliminated from the tournament, a fate that arrived later ‌than many anticipated after the Caribbean country became the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Ivory Coast were third in their group in their three previous World Cup appearances from 2006-2014 and will face the second-place team in Group I, France or Norway.
After failing to score in five World Cup qualifying appearances and not being ⁠included in manager Emerse Fae’s recent African Cup of Nations squad, Pepe was not an obvious candidate ‌to play hero.
But he took both goals exceptionally well for his first tallies in a competitive international fixture since October 2024.
A matter of pride
Fans will be allowed to bring rainbow flags when Egypt face Iran in Seattle’s designated “Pride Match” at the World Cup, Fifa said on Thursday, echoing comments from local organisers that the symbol is one of human rights despite protests from the two competing countries.
The Group G game during Pride weekend was branded the Pride Match ‌by Seattle’s local organising committee before December’s draw selected the two Muslim-majority countries where homosexuality is criminalised.
Egypt and Iran objected after the draw, with Egypt’s Football Association saying such events clashed with its cultural and religious values.
Fifa, however, said the World Cup is “an inclusive event that welcomes ⁠people from all backgrounds” and that rainbow flags are allowed in the stadium.


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Ecuador’s Kevin Rodriguez (left) and Jordy Caicedo celebrate during their remarkable win over Germany. Photo: AP

Ecuador boss Sebastian Beccacece celebrates with fans after climbing into the stands. Photo: Getty Images

Ivory Coast’s Nicolas Pepe scores his side’s first against Curacao. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

South Americans reach last 32 after dramatic encounter in New Jersey, while Ivory Coast beat Curacao to seal runners-up spot in Group F


South Americans reach last 32 after dramatic encounter in New Jersey, while Ivory Coast beat Curacao to seal runners-up spot in Group F.


Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Ecuador stun Germany, Ivory Coast win, Scots heading home

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}South Americans reach last 32 after dramatic encounter in New Jersey, while Ivory Coast beat Curacao to seal runners-up spot in Group F

South Americans reach last 32 after dramatic encounter in New Jersey, while Ivory Coast beat Curacao to seal runners-up spot in Group F