World
Ecuador Must Beat Germany to Rescue Their World Cup
La Tri face the group winners at MetLife Stadium needing a result to keep their round-of-32 hopes alive.
Ecuador arrive at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford knowing their World Cup is on the line against a Germany side that has already booked its place in the round of 32 as Group E winners. La Tri need a positive result to drag themselves back into contention after a chastening campaign.
Ecuador's predicament
On one point, Ecuador have been let down by their finishing despite playing well in both matches. They dominated Ivory Coast only to concede a 90th-minute Amad Diallo winner that ended a 19-game unbeaten run, then ran up 3.05 expected goals against Curaçao without scoring as Eloy Room saved everything. The chances are there; the conversion has not been.
Form and prediction
Germany have been imperious, hammering Curaçao 7-1 and edging Ivory Coast 2-1 thanks to Deniz Undav's late double. Julian Nagelsmann may rotate with qualification secured, which could give a desperate Ecuador their opening. Expect La Tri to throw everything forward, but Germany's depth should see them through. Prediction: Germany 2-1 Ecuador.
The daily digest
One email each morning, all the day’s reporting.