7/13ths of the World Cup
Curacao entered the last match day of the Group Stage in 4th place looking at a ticket home. A victory over Cote d'Ivoire, and an Ecuadorian loss to Germany would see Curacao finish 2nd and head to the Round of 32. Cote d'Ivoire entered in 2nd place needing at least a draw to maintain their position. A loss and an Ecuadorian victory would see them drop to 4th. Enter Ivorian Nicolas Pepe. A goal on either side of halftime would be enough to push Cote d'Ivoire past the Group Stage for the first time ever. Goals in the 7th and 64th minutes will be how Curacao's World Cup Journey ends. An exciting story for the Caribbean Island nation with a bitter ending.
Ecuador started the day in 3rd place with 1 point. A loss could see them finish in 4th depending on Curacao's effort against Cote d'Ivoire. A win and a Cote d'Ivoire loss, along with a better goal differential could see them move into 2nd. For Germany, their future was never in doubt. Regardless of the result here, Germany have advanced as the winners of Group E. This match was all about keeping the momentum going into the playoffs. That momentum would show as Leroy Sane would score in the 2nd minute to give Germany a 1-0 lead. Ecuador, whose performance has been poor by their standards, quickly found the leveling goal in the 9th minute thanks to Nilson Angulo. Ecuador would prove to be the better team on the day when Gonzalo Plata scored in the 77th minute. Germany's 6 points see them fail to go perfect as they finish Group E Winners. They await to see which 3rd place team they will face in the Round of 32. Cote d'Ivoire qualify as the Group Runners-up and await the Runners-up of Group I. Ecuador have advanced to the Playoffs in the 3rd place position, and await to see where they wind up in the brackets. Curacao cut short their tournament, but will have memories to share with their family.
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