MEXICO CITY, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan, Cote d'Ivoire and Australia progressed to the round of 32 while Ecuador and Sweden also advanced after finishing among the tournament's eight best third-placed teams following Thursday's final group-stage matches.
Gonzalo Plata scored in the 77th minute as Ecuador recovered from a goal down to beat Germany 2-1.
Leroy Sane gave the European side an early lead with a first-time effort that beat Hernan Galindez at his near post. Nilson Angulo equalized by drilling a 20-yard shot into the far corner.
The game looked headed for a draw when Plata combined with Kevin Rodriguez before poking the ball past Manuel Neuer.
"We came to life here," Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece told a post-match news conference. "Sometimes we feel the pain of defeat but sometimes also the satisfaction of a victory. What is important is to strike a balance. This will not change my life but we want to enjoy the moment."
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann lamented his team's lack of concentration after its early goal.
"We got off to a great start," Nagelsmann said. "Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult.
"Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell. They had their foot on the gas. But I also can't say that any of my players didn't give it their all. That's too simplistic."
Germany remained top of Group E with six points while Ecuador was third with four points, later secured a knockout berth as one of the eight best third-place finishers.
In Group D, Australia booked its place in the next phase after a goalless draw with Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Jordan Bos produced Australia's clearest attacking moments, forcing Orlando Gill into a first-half save before later shooting just wide after driving into the penalty area. Paraguay's biggest chance came in the 83rd minute when Jackson Irvine blocked Julio Enciso's goal-bound effort.
The Socceroos finished second in the group behind the United States. Paraguay, third on four points, looked set to advance as one of the top-ranked third-placed teams, pending the outcome of later group matches.
In Dallas, Anthony Elanga canceled out Daizen Maeda's opener as Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan.
Maeda opened the scoring by running onto Ritsu Doan's through ball and slotting the ball past Jacob Zetterstrom. Newcastle United forward Elanga struck a second-half equalizer with a low shot that flew through a crowded penalty box and into the far corner.
The result left Japan second in Group F with five points, a point ahead of Sweden, which also secured a place in the last 32.
In the other Group E clash, Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Cote d'Ivoire beat Curacao 2-0 at Philadelphia Stadium.
Pepe struck in the seventh and 64th minutes to seal the African side's second win of the tournament. It meant Cote d'Ivoire finished second in the group with six points, earning the African team its first-ever World Cup knockout berth. Curacao was last in the group with one draw from three games.
In Kansas City, the Netherlands claimed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over eliminated Tunisia. Ellyes Skhiri gifted the Netherlands an early lead with an own goal and Brian Brobbey doubled the advantage five minutes later.
Hazem Mastouri pulled a goal back with a glancing header but Jan Paul van Hecke restored his team's two-goal cushion when his flicked effort deflected in off Anis Ben Slimane.
In Los Angeles, Türkiye overturned an early deficit to beat the United States 3-2 in a game that had no bearing on the final Group D standings.
Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz and Kaan Ayhan struck for Türkiye while Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter were on target for the tournament co-host. The United States still finished top of the group with six points while Türkiye had already been eliminated after losing its first two games. ■
