Six matches. Three time slots. Six completed group tables. When the final whistle blew at the Los Angeles Stadium in the early hours of June 26, Groups D, E, and F had all played their last game — and the scorelines they left behind were anything but predictable. Ecuador beat Germany. Türkiye beat the USA. Japan and Sweden drew their match, but scored spectacular goals.
Watch every FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live on ZEE 5 — stream in India as the action happens.
Ecuador 2-1 Germany | Group E | New Jersey Stadium
The upset of the day — arguably the upset of the tournament so far. Ecuador, needing a win to advance as one of the best third-placed teams, came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in East Rutherford. Leroy Sané scored for Germany within two minutes. Nilson Angulo levelled the score at the 9th minute 9th minute, and Gonzalo Plata gave Ecuador the lead at the 77th minute.
Ivory Coast 2-0 Curaçao | Group E | Philadelphia Stadium
While Ecuador were making history in New Jersey, the Ivory Coast were making its own kind at the Philadelphia Stadium. Nicolas Pépé scored twice — a close-range finish in the 7th minute and a curled left-footed strike into the top corner from Ibrahim Sangaré’s through ball in the 64th — and Les Éléphants finished second in Group E. This is the first time the Ivory Coast have ever reached the knockout stage at a men’s World Cup.
Curaçao, the smallest country by population to ever qualify for a World Cup, leave after a journey that will be remembered longer than the exit. Dick Advocaat’s side competed with enthusiasm and genuine quality across all three matches. They depart with their heads held high and a fanbase that has grown considerably over the past two weeks.
Netherlands 3-1 Tunisia | Group F | Kansas City Stadium
Two goals in the opening seven minutes, and the Netherlands were on their way. Ellyes Skhiri sliced a Denzel Dumfries cross into his own net inside three minutes. Brian Brobbey tapped in a Tijjani Reijnders free-kick shortly after.
Hazem Mastouri gave Tunisia hope early in the second half with a debut header, but Jan Paul van Hecke’s header — deflected in off Anis Ben Slimane — restored the two-goal cushion. Ronald Koeman’s side top Group F with seven points and face Morocco in the Round of 32 at Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, on June 30. Tunisia finished bottom of the group with zero points.
Japan 1-1 Sweden | Group F | Dallas Stadium
A 1-1 draw was enough for both teams to qualify. Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead in the 56th minute with a precise finish after a short-passing move involving Ritsu Dōan and Ayase Ueda. Six minutes later, Anthony Elanga answered with a solo run and a left-footed bending shot into the bottom corner that was arguably the goal of the night across all six matches.
Japan advanced as Group F runners-up with five points and faces Brazil in the Round of 32. Graham Potter’s Sweden advances with four points as one of the best third-placed teams, one of the most secure positions in the third-place standings.
Australia 0-0 Paraguay | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area | 7:30 AM IST
The most tactical match of the day — and the most honest. Both teams knew a draw would likely be enough for both of them. Australia went through as the Group D runners-up with four points. Paraguay finished third with four points and sits in a very good position in the best third-placed standings, as groups G through L still have their final rounds to complete. A note worth making: Paraguay midfielder Diego Gómez collected his second yellow card of the group stage — he will be suspended for the Round of 32 if Paraguay advance.
Türkiye 3-2 USA | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 7:30 AM IST
Türkiye were already eliminated. But today, they played at their best. In the 98th minute — the literal last kick of the match at Los Stadium — Ayhan slid in to score after Can Uzun pushed the ball past Matt Turner, completing a 3-2 win for a Turkish side that had absolutely nothing left to play for in the tournament.
The USA lost but finished top of Group D regardless. Türkiye exit — with Vincenzo Montella’s team converting three of their four shots on target into goals and a last memory at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that nobody in the stadium will forget quickly.
The Knockout Picture: Who Is Through, Who Is Waiting
With Groups D, E, and F now complete, twelve teams have confirmed their Round of 32 places from these three groups alone: USA, Australia (Group D); Germany, Ivory Coast (Group E); Netherlands, Japan (Group F). Mexico, South Africa from Group A, Switzerland and Canada from Group B, and Brazil and Morocco from Group C are also through from earlier rounds. That is 12 confirmed knockout teams from 6 of the 12 groups.
For the best third-placed spots, Sweden and Ecuador are among the strongest candidates currently, with 4 points and 0 goal difference. Bosnia & Herzegovina also has 4 points but -1 goal difference. The last team with 4 points is Paraguay(-2 goal difference). Scotland and South Korea have 3 points each, with goal differences of -3 and -1, respectively. They face a much harder wait — their fates depend heavily on the results from Groups G through L, which conclude on June 27. Eight of the 12 third-placed teams will advance; as of June 26, six groups still have their final matches to play.
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 and every knockout match live on ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription — stream in India as it happens.