World Cup: Pacho stars as Ecuador close in on Round of 32, Doué qualifies with Côte d'Ivoire
Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho was once again a commanding presence at the heart of Ecuador's defence as La Tri claimed a stunning 2-1 victory over already-qualified Germany in their final Group E fixture. After Leroy Sané's early opener, Ecuador hit back through Nilson Angulo before Gonzalo Plata's 77th-minute winner secured a famous result.
Pacho played a key role in preserving Ecuador's lead, making several important clearances and helping his side withstand sustained German pressure during the closing stages. The victory lifted Ecuador onto four points and kept alive their hopes of progressing to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.
The victory was also a landmark result for Ecuador. It was just the second time in the nation's World Cup history that they had come from behind to win a match, after their victory over Honduras in 2014, while it also marked their first World Cup win over European opposition since defeating Poland in 2002. With four points from three matches, Pacho and Ecuador are now in a commanding position to progress to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.
World Cup breakthrough for Côte d'Ivoire
Elsewhere in Group E Guela Doué started as Côte d'Ivoire defeated Curaçao 2-0 to secure qualification for the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history.
Strasbourg defender Doué helped keep a clean sheet, while former Angers goalkeeper Fofana dealt confidently with Curaçao's late pressure, claiming crosses and producing important interventions to preserve his side's advantage. Doué also offered an attacking threat, delivering a dangerous cross early in the second half that nearly resulted in a second goal.
Former Lille winger Nicolas Pépé proved the match winner, opening the scoring inside seven minutes before adding his second shortly after the hour mark to seal a historic victory. Côte d'Ivoire's qualification means four Ligue 1 players will now be involved when the knockout phase gets underway.
