Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao are all bidding to reach the knockout stages of World Cup 2026 as Group E reaches its climax. Germany, the four-time champions, are through to the knockout stages for the first time since their 2014 victory, having beaten Ivory Coast late on to seal their place as group winners.
It means it’s all to play for between the other three teams. Germany will play Ecuador in New Jersey, with the South Americans needing to win to advance. The same scenario applies to tiny Curacao, who are bidding to become the smallest country to reach the World Cup knockout stages after earning a famous point against Ecuador.
With Ivory Coast needing to avoid defeat to guarantee their place in the next round, one interested nation will be Scotland: after a humbling 3-0 loss last night to Brazil, the Tartan Army require a combination of results to go their way. In Group E, Scotland desperately need just one of Germany and Ivory Coast to avoid defeat.
Follow the conclusion to Group E with our live blog below:
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
14 mins: Caught your breath yet?
Germany are looking to respond quickly as they try and set Wirtz in on goal with a ball across. Ecuador goalkeeper Galindez comes out but Franco takes it out of his hands, successfully might we add.
They then come again through Musiala who fires an effort wide of the far post.
‘Lifeline for Ecuador’
The latest from Jack Rathborn, who’s in place at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
That is breathtaking from Angulo, he ruthlessly steps into space to collect the loose ball and then arrows a strike through the legs of Pavlovic and low past Neuer.
A lifeline and this New Jersey crowd has erupted, it’s a sea of yellow and the noise is piercing the ears of those in attendance. A home game and the South Americans are back level.
GOAL! Germany 1-1 Ecuador (Angulo, 9′)
What a strike, and what a start to the Group E finales!
Nilson Angulo lets fly from distance and drills into the bottom corner, flying through the legs of Pavlovic which might explain why Neuer was so slow to react.
Ecuador’s World Cup is anything but over!
GOAL! Curacao 0-1 Ivory Coast (Pepe, 7′)
Ivory Coast take the lead!
They’d started well, putting Curacao under real pressure, and it pays off.
Diomande with some great footwork in the box initially, out to the left, but he loses the ball… only for a poor defensive mix-up to allow him possession again.
He cuts it back for Pepe, who sweeps it home from close range!
Germany 1-0 Ecuador
5 mins: Question marks might surround the giving of the goal, but Germany have started by far the better team.
Wirtz did well to break in behind in the opening moments which led to the throw that Germany scored from.
GOAL STANDS! Germany 1-0 Ecuador
Well then, no VAR intervention after all. Ecuador are fuming, and understandably so if we’re honest.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Ecuador (Sane, 2′)
A NIGHTMARE start for Ecuador!
Florian Wirtz tees up Leroy Sane who slots home to break the deadlock inside two minutes – but there might be early VAR intervention.
Pavlovic’s boot is high and he catches his man off the throw…
KICK-OFF! Curacao 0-0 Ivory Coast
And we’re also underway in Philadelphia.
