FIFA World Cup 2026 results roundup: Ecuador stun Germany, Ivory Coast and Australia advance
World Cup 2026 results: The final phase of the group stage saw six more games. Germany played Ecuador, and Ivory Coast took on Curacao in Group E. Co-hosts USA faced Turkey, and Australia battled it out with Paraguay in Group D. Group F saw the Netherlands vs. Tunisia, while Japan squared off against Sweden.
Group D: Turkey go out with a win, Australia and Paraguay play out suitable draw
Turkey finally came to the World Cup party in their final group game against USA, but it was all too little, too late. After losing their first two games, the European side registered their first win at the World Cup since 2002. The game in Los Angeles began in perfect fashion for the hosts as Auston Trusty put a low shot past Ugurcan Cakir from a corner. The Crescent Stars were levelled in the 10th minute after Arda Güler was set up.
Turkey then went ahead when Orkun Kokcu’s close-range attempt deflected off Baris Yilmaz in the 31st minute. USA then made it all square after their opponents couldn’t clear a throw-in, and Sebastian Berhalter struck a sublime half volley into the net in the 49th minute.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had the chances to win it all, but it was Turkey who scored the winner with the last kick of the game. Can Uzun played a threatening ball across the US goal and Kaan Ayhan slid in to score and end the co-hosts’ perfect start to the World Cup.
In the other Group D game, Australia and Paraguay played out a draw that suits both teams. It ensured that the Socceroos finished second to advance, while La Albirroja are likely to follow them as one of the best third-placed teams.
Australia started brightly and looked likely to score. Jackson Irvine saw his curled shot turned over by Orlando Gill inside five minutes, and towards the end of the first half, Gill pushed away Cristian Volpato’s attempt. The South American side started the second half better. Juan Caceres and Mauricio saw their shots saved by Patrick Beach while Julio Enciso looked like a threat for them. But in the end both sides didn’t go all out for a winner, and the 0-0 result is favourable to them.
Group E: Ecuadaor upset Germany, Ivory Coast make history
Ecuador came back from behind to beat Germany and progress to the knockout stages. Entering the game, they needed to win against four-time World Cup champions to reach the next round, and they didn’t have the best of starts. Florian Wirtz’s sublime pass allowed Leroy Sane to fire past Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez in just two minutes.
Having failed to score in their first two games, it appeared a big task for the South American team to get back into it. But drew level inside 10 minutes when Nilson Angulo drove a shot beyond the reach of Manuel Neuer and into the German net. Both teams had chances to score another goal, but the game remained on the edge.
Then with 13 minutes left on the clock and Ecuador’s hopes fading, Gonzalo Plata sent El Tri fans wild. From a corner, he reacted quicker than Neuer and poked a finish past the veteran keeper. Sebastian Beccacece’s side survived a couple of anxious moments but held on for a historic win. There were wild celebrations on and off the pitch as Ecuador advanced to the knockout round.
Ivory Coast knew they needed only a point against minnows Curacao in the final group game to progress, and they delivered more than that. Just seven minutes in and Nicolas Pepe swept home from a Yan Diomande cross after the attacker dispossessed the opposing defenders. Curacao, managed by veteran coach Dick Advocaat, didn’t back off, but the African side looked likely to add a second.
In the second half, Franck Kessie had his shot deflected and go just wide of the goal, while Sherel Floranus saw his attempt go over the crossbar for Curacao. But Pepe emerged again to deliver the final blow of the match. In the 65th minute, he took Ibrahim Sangare’s pass into the box and slotted a left-footed shot past Eloy Room as The Elephants marched to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Group F: Routine win for Netherlands and Japan finish second
The Netherlands continued their impressive run of form after beating Tunisia in their final Group F game. After scoring five against Sweden in the previous game, they put three past their opponents on Thursday. They went ahead inside three minutes after a Denzel Dumfries cross was turned in by Ellyes Skhiri into his own net.
Brian Brobbey then added his third goal in two games after scoring from close range to make it 2-0 after just seven minutes. The Oranje kept opening up their opponents at will as they chased top spot in the group. But in the 51st minute, the Eagles of Carthage got back into the game with Hazem Mastouri heading emphatically from a Hannibal Mejbri corner.
Still, the outcome was never in doubt as the Dutch restored their two-goal advantage as Jan Paul van Hecke glanced a header from a corner, which went in after a deflection off Anis Ben Slimane. Ronald Koeman’s side threatened to score more but ended with the 3-1 scoreline to top the group. They will now face Morocco in the round of 32.
The other clash in Group F saw Japan take on Sweden. The Asian side needed to better the Netherlands’ result to secure the top spot but could only muster a 1-1 draw. Both teams had a lot to play for, but the first half was rather subdued with a lack of attacking verve from either side. But things picked up in the second half.
The Samurai Blue drew the first blood after Daizen Maeda finished off a neat move to score in the 56th minute. The lead lasted only six minutes as Anthony Elanga pulled out a moment of genius. He got on the edge of the box on the left side and angled in a finish past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Alexander Isak then went close to giving the Blågult all three points but saw his header tipped onto the crossbar by Suzuki.
Japan finish second in the group and will face Brazil in the round of 32, while Graham Potter’s side will take on one of France, Norway, Germany, or Switzerland in the knockout stages.
