Ecuador defeats France 2-1 to reach World Cup round of 32

In the 16th match day of the tournament, Ecuador turned the tables on France, winning 2‑1 in a dramatic group‑stage encounter. The victory propelled the South American side into the knockout round of 32, marking their deepest run in the competition so far.

Meanwhile, Curaçao suffered a loss that saw them exit the World Cup early. The latest results reshuffled the rankings of the 48 participating teams, sparking debate over the strength of traditional powerhouses.