Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador reach last 32 as Germany crash Out, Curacao eliminated

Ecuador and Curacao's contrasting fortunes in Group E

Ecuador have advanced to the last 32 of the World Cup after a 2-1 victory over Germany, a result that also confirmed Group E's final standings. The South American side came from behind to beat the group winners, thanks to a winning goal from Gonzalo Plata 13 minutes from time, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.

Germany, who had already secured top spot in the group after wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao, took the lead through Leroy Sane's controversial goal less than two minutes into the match. Ecuador hit back with a strike from Nil Angulo before Plata's decisive goal, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

Plate's goal completed the comeback for Ecuador, who finished the group with four points – guaranteeing them a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams, both Al Jazeera and France 24 reported.

Ivory Coast end Curacao's campaign

Ivory Coast, who finished second in the group, ended Curacao's tournament with a 2-0 victory in Philadelphia, with Nicolas Pnpé scoring twice, as reported by France 24. The result sealed the runners-up spot for the west African nation, marking their first advance to the knockout stage at a World Cup, the outlet said.

Curacao departed the tournament with one point from three group matches, bottom of the group, France 24 reported. The result came after Curacao's earlier success in the tournament – a historic first-ever World Cup point earned with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.

Eloy Room's historic 15-save performance

The draw against Ecuador, which produced the first World Cup point in Curacao's history, was secured by an extraordinary display from goalkeeper Eloy Room. He made 15 saves to keep out a relentless Ecuador attack, as reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera and France 24. The outlet reported that Room's save total put him second on the all-time single-game list, behind only Tim Howard's 16 saves for the US against Belgium in 2014. However, as noted, statistics provider Opta has long counted Howard as having made 15 saves in that match, which would leave the two, tied – but Howard's match went into extra time while Room's did not, ABC explained.

Ecuador had 28 shots, including 15 on target, all of which Room kept out, according to France 24 and Al Jazeera. The same source noted that Ecuador had 65 percent possession in the first half, but despite the dominance, they could not find a way past Room's; the goalkeeper also kept Ecuador out with several other key stops, including the third minute when he saved from Enner Valencia's attempt.