IOC opens the door to Belarus for Los Angeles 2028

Comeback against the champion

Ecuador defeated Germany 2-1 this Wednesday in New Jersey and secured its place in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Gonzalo Plata scored the winning goal in the 71st minute, after a corner kick that Kevin Rodríguez headed over and Manuel Neuer could not control. The Ecuadorian National Team advanced as one of the best third parties.

Germany, already classified as the leader of Group E, opened the scoring after two minutes. Leroy Sané defined after a play in which Aleksandar Pavlovic hit Pedro Vite in the face. Referee Tori Penso did not call a foul and the VAR did not intervene.

Nilson Angulo equalized in the 9th minute. The attacker received a ball recovered by Vite and shot from outside the area to score his third goal with La Tri. It was Ecuador’s first goal in the tournament, breaking a 242-minute drought.

Ecuador improved its game compared to previous matches. The inclusion of John Yeboah and Angulo gave greater depth to the attack. In the second half, the VAR annulled a penalty in favor of Germany due to a previous foul by Sané on Vite.

The team led by Sebastián Beccacece showed character to come back despite the pressure. Ecuador qualifies for the second time in a World Cup qualifying phase since 2006.

Germany, despite the defeat, advances as first in the group. Ivory Coast also reached the round of 16 as second after beating Curacao.

Duel of giants for the leadership

France and Norway have already qualified for the round of 32. But tomorrow at the Gillette Stadium in Boston they will seek first place in Group I. The Gauls lead by better goal difference, thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s four goals, the same number that Erling Haaland has with the Nordics.

The match, refereed by Englishman Michael Oliver, also pits two contenders for the scoring throne against each other. Lionel Messi surpasses them with five goals in his sixth World Cup, and is the all-time leading scorer with 18. Mbappé has 16 in World Cups. Haaland celebrates 59 goals in 52 games with Norway (1.13 average), in his first World Cup.

Deschamps’ temporary goodbye

Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player (1998) and coach (2018), left the camp due to the loss of his mother, Ginette. He will be replaced by his assistant Guy Stéphan.

“We are all close to Didier and his family. I will try to handle this difficult situation in the best possible way,” Stéphan declared at a conference.

Stéphan acknowledged that “this is not my place. My place is on the training ground.” He had already taken over in 2022, when the coach’s father died. He assured that “Didier wants us to finish first in the group because the logistics will be totally different.”

What is at stake

The first of Group I will face one of the best eight third parties in New Jersey. The second will clash in Dallas against the second in Group E. If France is the escort, it will have to move to places further away from its base.

France has the absence of defender William Saliba due to a back problem. He will be replaced by Maxence Lacroix along with Dayot Upamecano to contain Haaland. The Gauls conceded only one goal in the tournament (against Senegal). Norway celebrated seven goals, but conceded two.

“We will make some changes. We want to win, but the need to regulate our energy indicates that other players will have their opportunity,” anticipated Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken.

Senegal and Iraq face off in Toronto. Both are forced to win to maintain their chances of qualifying as the best third place, but with negative goal differences (-3 and -6) they find it difficult. Senegal, with Sadio Mané and company, seeks to avoid repeating the elimination in the group stage of Russia 2018.

Goal and emotion in Fidalgo’s World Cup debut

Álvaro Fidalgo, Real Betis midfielder, scored his first goal with the Mexican National Team in a World Cup. It was at minute 90+4 against the Czech Republic, at the Mexico City Stadium. “Maguito” came on as a substitute, played 18 minutes and took advantage of a rebound to seal the win.

His celebration said it all. He looked at the sky and dedicated the goal to his grandfather, who died two months ago. The Asturian player declared:

“I lost my grandfather two months ago. Everyone knows what my family means to me, what my grandparents are. So, I remembered him more in a scenario like this, more so with a goal in a World Cup for the entire country. The truth is, a dream night for everyone.”

Response to criticism as naturalized

Since his call in March, Fidalgo was designated for being naturalized. However, he has responded on the field. Regarding the questions, he commented:

“For Mexicans, I only have good words. I understand those who don’t like it and those who do. Nothing happens. Sometimes it serves as motivation for us to show that you feel it, that you do it with passion and from the heart.”

Mexico advanced at a perfect pace, adding nine points, and is already waiting for an opponent in the round of 32. Fidalgo, aware of what is coming, closed:

“Now the important thing is coming. The group stage is behind us. We must continue with this level, united and with everyone’s enthusiasm.”