Ecuador and Turkey won their matches 2026 World Cup Highlight

Thursday, June 25, delivered one of the most dramatic days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with six matches wrapping up Groups D, E, and F. From stunning upsets to last-gasp heartbreak, the night had everything. Here is a full rundown of every result.

Table of Contents

GROUP E

Ecuador 2–1 Germany

Nobody outside of South America gave Ecuador a realistic chance of topping Germany but football, as always, laughed last.

Leroy Sané put Germany ahead with just two minutes on the clock, threatening to turn this into a routine German afternoon. But Ecuador refused to roll over. Nerón Angulo pulled one back in the 9th minute, and the South Americans grew into the match with every passing minute. Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was repeatedly tested, and Ecuador’s defensive organisation frustrated the Germans for long stretches. Then, Gonzalo Plata delivered the killer blow in the 77th minute to seal a famous 2–1 victory.

Germany still finished top of the final Group E table ahead of Ivory Coast on head-to-head, with Ecuador advancing in third place on four points. Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece was visibly emotional after the match, saying he was immensely proud of his young squad and the family-like bond they had built throughout the tournament.

Ivory Coast 2–0 Curaçao

In the other Group E fixture, Ivory Coast made sure of their place in the Round of 32 with a comfortable win over debutants Curaçao. Ibrahim Sangaré played a decisive role, teeing up Pépé to bury a shot into the net from the right side of the box and put the result beyond doubt. A composed, professional display from Les Éléphants, who book their spot in the knockouts.

GROUP F

Japan 1–1 Sweden

Japan led against Sweden for just six minutes in Group F, before Anthony Elanga’s strike from distance beat goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to level the scoreline.Daichi Maeda had given Japan the lead in the 56th minute, only for Elanga to respond six minutes later.

The 1–1 draw was enough for both sides, Japan advance as group runners-up, while Sweden also go through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Netherlands 3–1 Tunisia

Brian Brobbey scored his third goal of the tournament as the Netherlands wrapped up Group F in commanding style. Brobbey opened the scoring in the 7th minute, before Jasper van Hecke added a third in the 62nd. Tunisia pulled one back through Hamza Mastouri in the 54th, and Emir Skhiri had earlier put through his own net in the 3rd minute.

The Dutch win the group in convincing fashion and enter the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s most feared sides.

GROUP D

Turkey 3–2 United States

This was the midnight heartbreaker and what a way to end the night.

Arda Güler struck in the 10th minute to give Turkey an early lead, and Burak Yilmaz doubled it in the 31st. The US fought back Auston Trusty pulled one back in the 3rd minute and Gio Berhalter levelled in the 49th but Turkey had the final say.

With only two minutes left in stoppage time, Kaan Ayhan bounced a shot through the legs of US goalkeeper Matt Turner to win it 3–2 in the 90th+8 minute one of the most dramatic moments of the entire group stage.

The defeat did not affect the United States’ progression, as they had already secured their place in the knockouts.Still, it was a gut-punch ending to what had been a competitive match, and Turkey though eliminated left with their heads held high.

Paraguay 0–0 Australia

Australia and Paraguay played to a mutually beneficial goalless draw one of the tournament’s least surprising results. The Socceroos advance as Group D runners-up, while Paraguay also go through as a third-placed qualifier on four points, three behind the co-hosts.It was not a game for the neutral, but it served its purpose for both sides.

TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR THE ROUND OF 32

After the conclusion of Groups D, E, and F on Thursday, the confirmed qualifiers for the knockout stage are:

Mexico (Group A winners),
United States (Group D winners),
Australia (Group D runners-up),
Germany (Group E winners),
Ivory Coast (Group E runners-up),
Ecuador (Group E third place),
Netherlands (Group F winners),
Japan (Group F runners-up),
Sweden (Group F third place),
Brazil (Group C winners),
Morocco (Group C runners-up),
Argentina (Group J winners).

Several more spots are pending as the remaining groups conclude through June 27.

TEAMS ELIMINATED FROM THE WORLD CUP

The following teams have been officially knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will not advance to the Round of 32:

Haiti were the first to go, exiting after two defeats in Group C without scoring a goal.

Turkey followed after a shock 2–0 defeat to Australia in their opener, never recovering despite their spirited win over the USA on Thursday.

Tunisia were the third team eliminated, falling after heavy losses to Japan and Sweden.

Jordan, one of the tournament’s four debutants, bowed out after losing to Algeria in their second group game.

Panama went out after back-to-back defeats to Ghana and Croatia.

Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, were also sent home after finishing bottom of Group B with just one point.

Czechia rounded off the list, failing to win any of their group games and finishing last in Group A despite being ranked 40th in the world.

Curaçao, the tournament’s smallest-ever qualified nation, were also eliminated after their 2–0 defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday.

Final Thought

Thursday, June 25 was a night that delivered everything giant-killings, last-gasp drama, and orderly progressions sitting side by side. Ecuador’s win over Germany will be remembered long after this tournament ends. Turkey’s injury-time winner against the USA in the midnight fixture was the stuff of World Cup legend. As the group stage draws to a close, the Round of 32 promises to be even more explosive.

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