[2026 World Cup] Curaçao Earns First Point With Population of 150,000... Germany Advances From Group Stage for First Time in 12 Years

Curaçao, a small island nation in the Caribbean with a population of only about 150,000, has earned its first-ever World Cup point. Tournament favorite Germany secured a come-from-behind victory against Ivory Coast and confirmed their spot in the round of 32.

On June 21, at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Germany came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the second match of Group E in the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup group stage.

Germany, which had previously defeated Curaçao 7-1 in their first match, cemented first place in Group E by winning what was essentially the group decider. This marks the first time in 12 years that Germany has advanced from the group stage of a World Cup finals since the 2014 tournament in Brazil. At the 2018 Russia World Cup, Germany lost 2-0 to South Korea in their final third group stage match, finishing last in Group F (one win, two losses). At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Germany failed to overcome the shock of a 2-1 defeat to Japan in their first match, ultimately finishing third in their group (one win, one draw, one loss).

Dennis Undav (right) of the German national soccer team scored the winning goal in stoppage time of the second half after the second match of Group E in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup against Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on the 21st (Korean time). AP Yonhap News

Ivory Coast, defeated by Germany, remained in second place with 3 points (one win, one loss). Ecuador and Curaçao are in third and fourth place, respectively, each with one draw and one loss (one point).

Although they ultimately lost after giving up the lead, Ivory Coast demonstrated their formidable strength. It was Ivory Coast who struck first. In the 30th minute of the first half, Ivory Coast's Jean Diomande broke through on Germany's left flank and sent in a cross. Amidy Diallo connected with a shot in front of goal, but German defender Nathanael Brown made a diving block. The deflected ball landed at the feet of Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie, who hammered the ball into the German net with his right foot.

Germany found the net twice in the 22nd and 39th minutes of the first half, but both goals were disallowed due to fouls.

Dennis Undav, who was substituted in the 15th minute of the second half, scored both the equalizer and the winning goal in quick succession, securing Germany's victory. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Undav tied the game at 1-1 with a precise left-footed shot off a cross from Nadiem Amiri. In stoppage time, he connected with a delicate turning shot off a pass from Felix Nmecha inside the penalty box to score the decisive goal.

Curaçao played Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in the second Group E match of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup group stage at Kansas City Stadium, Missouri, USA, thanks to a brilliant performance by goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Players of the Curaçao national football team are greeting the fans after earning their first point by drawing 0-0 against Ecuador in the second match of Group E in the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup group stage held at the Kansas City Stadium in Missouri, USA, on the 21st (Korean time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Led by Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, Curaçao followed up its first-ever World Cup goal in the opening match against Germany by earning its first World Cup point in the second match.

Curaçao made its debut at the World Cup finals under the stewardship of Advocaat, who previously managed the South Korean national team at the 2006 Germany World Cup. Like Ecuador, Curaçao has one draw and one loss, but sits in fourth place due to goal difference. If Curaçao wins its final group stage match against Ivory Coast, it could advance to the round of 32.

Room, who guarded the goal for Curaçao, made an astonishing 15 saves on the day. Ecuador unleashed 28 shots—nearly three times as many as Curaçao (10 shots, 3 on target). Of those, 15 were on target, but Room kept the Curaçao goal sealed throughout the match.

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