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
29 mins: The pundits in BBC’s studio are unanimous in thinking Germany’s opener should have been ruled out.
It’s yet another contentious on-field decision that’s been stuck with by VAR. A bit baffling.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
27 mins: Time for our mandated hydration break. We’re a bit over-time – sound the advertising alarm, Gianni!
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
26 mins: Super ball from Raum aiming for the head of Wirtz, but the Liverpool man can’t get power on the header and it’s simple for Galindez.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
23 mins: Nervy moments for Germany – Ecuador are playing with real fluidity.
A lot of their joy is coming down the right with Franco peppering Neuer’s box with crosses, one that flies dangerously close to Valencia’s head, but nothing to test the stopper just yet.
Hincapie is then set into the box but it’s brilliant tracking back from Sane to put a foot in. The Ecuador fans want a penalty but it’s telling the players don’t appeal.
Curacao 0-1 Ivory Coast
21 mins: Although they’re already trailing, Curacao have been in this game.
The match is ebbing and flowing, with Ivory Coast looking fairly dangerous and Curacao then breaking with intent.
The crowd is well up for this, too.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
19 mins: Hincapie fumes at the referee after Kimmich goes down in his own box, the Arsenal man having the ball in a dangerous position on the byline.
You can understand why – replays show it’s Kimmich who’s got a handful of the Ecuadorian’s shirt before tumbling over.
Referee Tori Penso isn’t a popular figure within the Ecuador faithful at the moment.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
17 mins: This game has slightly calmed down after such a frantic start.
Both teams are trying to build out from the back rather than try and catch the other one out on the break.
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!
