Ecuador came from behind to defeat Germany 2-1 in a Group E World Cup match, with goals from Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata securing the result and sending Ecuador into the knockout stages as one of the top eight third-placed teams, according to BBC Sport.
Germany struck first, but Ecuador responded with two goals to complete the comeback and stun one of the tournament favorites. The win was enough to carry Ecuador through, a significant result for a South American side that entered the match needing a positive result to stay alive in the competition.
In the other Group E match, Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2-0 to claim their own place in the knockout stages. Nicolas Pepe scored twice in that match, giving the Elephants a comfortable margin. The result was historic for Ivory Coast, marking the first time the country has ever qualified for the World Cup knockout stages.
Curacao, competing in the tournament as a smaller football nation, could not contain the pressure from Ivory Coast and were eliminated from the competition following the loss.
The two results together shaped the final standings in Group E. Ecuador's advancement as a third-placed team means they will need to wait to learn their knockout round opponent, as the bracket depends on how other groups finish across the tournament.
Ivory Coast's progression through Group E marks a landmark moment in the history of football in that country. The team, which has long been considered one of Africa's strongest football nations, had never before advanced past the group stage at the World Cup. Pepe's two-goal performance gave them the cushion they needed to close out the group with confidence.
Germany, meanwhile, faces an early exit from the tournament after the loss to Ecuador. A side that has historically been among the favorites at every World Cup, Germany's elimination in the group stage continues a turbulent stretch for the program that began at the 2018 tournament.
The knockout round matchups across the full bracket will be determined once all group stage results are finalized.
