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World Cup 2026 June 25 Recap: Ecuador Stun Germany, Ivory Coast Reach the Knockouts at Last
Group E wrapped up on June 25 with two stories for the ages. Ecuador came from behind to beat Germany 2-1, and Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history. Here are both confirmed final results.
Thursday, June 25 closed out Group E, and the two simultaneous kickoffs delivered far more drama than the standings suggested they might. Ecuador came from a goal down to beat Germany 2-1 and book their place in the round of 32, while Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history. Both scorelines below are confirmed final results.
The results at a glance
| Match | Group | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador vs Germany | E | 2-1 | New York / New Jersey (MetLife) |
| Curaçao vs Ivory Coast | E | 0-2 | Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) |
Ecuador 2-1 Germany: a comeback against the four-time champions
At MetLife Stadium, Germany could not have started better — Leroy Sané struck inside the first two minutes to settle the favourites. But Ecuador hit straight back: Nilson Angulo levelled early with a crisp finish from distance, and the South Americans grew into the game against a German side that already had top spot in their sights.
The decisive blow came late. Gonzalo Plata fired Ecuador in front in the 77th minute, set up by Kevin Rodríguez, and La Tri held on for a famous 2-1 win over the four-time world champions. The result lifts Ecuador to four points and, as one of the best third-placed teams in this 48-side field, into the round of 32 — a reward for a side that lost its opener and then refused to go quietly.
Germany still top the group: their two earlier wins and a commanding goal difference (+6) keep them first despite the defeat, and they were already through. But Hansi Flick’s side will head into the knockouts with a question mark rather than the momentum they wanted.
Curaçao 2-0 Ivory Coast: the Elephants make history
At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Ivory Coast got the win they needed to seal second place. Nicolas Pépé settled the nerves with an early goal in the 7th minute and then completed his brace in the 64th to make the points safe. The 2-0 victory sends Ivory Coast into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever — a milestone for a nation that has twice won the Africa Cup of Nations but never previously survived a World Cup group.
For Curaçao, the dream ends here, but with their heads high. The smallest nation ever to reach a men’s World Cup — an island of roughly 156,000 people, guided by veteran coach Dick Advocaat — leave the tournament with a point already banked from their goalless draw with Ecuador and a place in history that no result can take away.
Final Group E standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 3 | +6 | 6 | Through (winners) |
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 3 | +2 | 6 | Through (second) |
| 3 | Ecuador | 3 | 0 | 4 | Through (best third) |
| 4 | Curaçao | 3 | -8 | 1 | Eliminated |
Germany and Ivory Coast finish level on six points, with Germany taking top spot on goal difference. Ecuador go through in third, and Curaçao bow out.
What it means
Group E sends three teams forward and leaves the bracket a little clearer. The day’s evening Group F games — Japan 1-1 Sweden and Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands — have since finished and are covered in full in our Group F wrap: the Netherlands won the group, with Japan and Sweden also advancing. For the build-up to Thursday’s drama, see our June 25 preview, and for the full Ecuador story read our Ecuador 2-1 Germany report.
All scorelines, scorers and standings above are confirmed final results, cross-checked against official FIFA match data and major outlets (FIFA.com, ESPN, Fox Sports, Olympics.com). Matches still in progress at the time of writing are not reported. This article contains no estimated or projected scores.