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World Cup Day 15: Ecuador shock Germany as six teams go through
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- World Cup Day 15: Ecuador shock Germany as six teams go through
World Cup Day 15: Ecuador shock Germany as six teams go through
Half a dozen nations booked their place in the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup on matchday 15 as we get ever closer to finding out the final 32 teams.
We've recapped all the happenings from Thursday's action, including what you may have missed overnight.
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World Cup Day 15:
Ecuador reach knockouts with surprise win over Germany
Ecuador pulled off one of the shocks of the summer by beating Germany 2-1 in New Jersey.
La Tricolor couldn't beat Curaçao on matchday two as the tiny island nation held them to a goalless last week. But they recovered from an early setback on Thursday to miraculously reach the round of 32.
Germany took an early when Leroy Sane tucked the ball into the bottom left-hand corner with a tidy finish. The goal, however, should not have stood due to a high boot from Aleksandar Pavlovic .
Regardless, Ecuador hit back quickly, equalising thanks to a splending finish from Nilson Angulo . Pedro Vite stole the ball off Felix Nmecha before finding Angulo, who rifled the ball between the legs of Pavlovic and into the net for their first goal of the tournament.
They almost got off to a nightmare start in the second half when the referee pointed to the spot after Kai havertz was taken down in the box, but the decision was overturned after VAR spotted a foul in the build up.
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Both teams were going for the victory, but it was Ecuador who took the lead with 13 minutes left on the clock. Gonzalo Plata , who was somehow unmarked in the six-yard box on a corner, got a vital touch on the ball right under the nose of Manuel Neuer , poking it in from close range.
The South American side held on for their most important ever win to secure their place in the knockout round for the first time since 2006, when the World Cup was held in Germany of all places. The scenes of jubilation were a sight to behold, with manager Sebastian Beccacece climbing the stand to celebrate with fans and family members in the crowd.
Read – The Brazilian players to score in the first three matches of a World Cup
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Ivory Coast advance for first time ever
Given some of the incredible players that have lined out for Ivory Coast over the years, it's surprising they have never gotten past the group stages of the World Cup before now.
Les Elephant secured their spot in the next round with a routine win over Curaçao thanks to a brace from former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in Philadelphia.
Yan Diomande nicked the ball off a defender and cut it back to Pepe for a simple finish in the seventh minute. After the interval, Ibrahim Sangare threaded a perfect through ball to Pepe, who stuck it away beautifully with his left foot.
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Finishing second in Group E, Ivory Coast are now set to face France or Norway in the round of 32.
Read – African players with most combined goals and assists in World Cup history
Japan and Sweden qualify following draw
Japan missed the opportunity to top Group F, but they will be nonetheless satisfied with a point from their meeting with Sweden in Arlington as it ensured they finished second in the table.
The Swedes will be delighted as well as they are now through as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition, despite being hammered by the Netherlands on matchday two.
Japan showed off their impressive passing skills in the match, particularly for the opening goal. They worked the ball well in the final third before Ritsu Doan found Daizen Maeda with an exquisite through ball, cutting through the backline with precision. Celtic forward Maeda finished off the move with an assured finish.
That was the Samurai Blue 's seventh goal of the tournament, which is the most they have ever scored in a group stage of the World Cup.
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Sweden, though, hit back very quickly. Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga received the ball on the right flank before cutting in and curling in a wicked left-footed strike from range, which fooled goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and flew into the net.
That goal ensured the Swedes are still in the competition, though Elanga seemingly had no clue this was the case.
Netherlands top group with win over Tunisia
Tunisia's misery could not be lessened in Kansas City as they fell to their third defeat in three games at the World Cup, but it could have been a lot worse against Netherlands.
Ellyes Skhiri sent the ball into his own net with an awkward attempt at a clearance just two minutes into the game. The Dutch doubled their lead five minutes later when Brian Brobbey scored his third goal of the tournament.
Tunisia pulled one back after the break through Hazem Mastouri , but Jan Paul van Hecke restored Netherlands' two-goal lead shortly after. The Oranje head through as group winners, while Tunisia may well go down as this summer's worst team, finishing the campaign with zero points and -10 goal difference.
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Read – Sunderland striker Brobbey achieves rare World Cup feat
Australia and Paraguay shake hands on draw
In probably the most predictable result of the entire group stage, Australia and Paraguay played out a goalless stalemate in Santa Clara.
As explained in our article on FIFA's decision to change the first tiebreaker from goal difference to head-to-head record , neither side had any incentive to anything but settle for a draw.
Australia couldn't finish first after losing to the USA, but a point secured second place and place in the knockouts. Paraguay could have finished second with a win, but evidently did not want to risk finishing up on three points; while they are not yet guaranteed to go through, they are in a good position to qualify with four points.
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Türkiye sign off with last-second win over USA
It's been a miserable campaign for Türkiye, who were eliminated after just two games, but they at least go home with something after beating co-hosts USA in a five-goal thriller in Los Angeles.
Auston Trusty gave the Americans an early lead, but they were quickly pegged back when Arda Güler slotted home in the 10th minute.
Türkiye took the lead on the half-hour mark when Baris Alper Tilmaz poked Orkun Kökcü's cut-back in the box. The US were back on level terms shortly after the interval, however, when Sebastian Berhalter smashed the ball in from the edge of the box.
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Kaan Ayhan inflicted the first defeat of the tournament on the US in the 98th minute, sliding in at the back post to spark massive celebrations from the Turks.
Read – How FIFA's new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbers
See Also – The all-time leading World Cup goal scorers as Messi breaks record
