Ecuador, Sweden, and Paraguay Boost Chances for Round of 32

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Ecuador has secured a comeback victory against Germany, reaching 4 points and putting them in a strong position to advance to the Round of 32. Sweden, the third-place team in Group F that drew with Japan, and Paraguay, the third-place team in Group D, have also reached 4 points, brightening their prospects for the knockout stage. Meanwhile, with South Korea stuck at 3 points, the outlook for the team led by Hong Myung-bo to reach the Round of 32 has become increasingly uncertain.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin has the story.

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Ecuador, facing the threat of elimination from the group stage, conceded an opening goal to Germany—who had already secured first place in the group—just two minutes into the match, but leveled the score seven minutes later.

Angulo sent the Ecuadorian fans into a frenzy by curling a brilliant right-footed shot into the corner from outside the penalty box.

Ecuador, which continued to threaten the German goal with sharp attacks, finally turned the game around in the 32nd minute of the second half.

Following a corner kick, Rodriguez headed the ball down, and Plata skillfully tapped it into the net.

With this 2-1 comeback win, Group E's third-place team, Ecuador, has secured 4 points and gained a favorable position for the Round of 32. Ivory Coast also succeeded in advancing to the Round of 32 as the group runner-up after defeating Curacao 2-0.

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In Group F, title contender the Netherlands secured first place in the group with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia. Japan, which drew 1-1 with Sweden, finished as the group runner-up and will face Brazil in the Round of 32 match on the 30th.

Sweden, finishing with one win, one draw, and one loss, placed third in Group F but has likely secured a spot in the Round of 32 with 4 points.

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The match between Australia and Paraguay to decide second place in Group D ended in a scoreless draw, leaving Australia in second and Paraguay in third. However, third-place Paraguay also reached 4 points, brightening their own prospects for the Round of 32.

Having finished the group stage with 3 points, the team led by Hong Myung-bo has slipped to 6th place among the 12 third-place teams, making it difficult to guarantee a ticket to the Round of 32, which is awarded to the top 8.

(Video Editing: Yoon Tae-ho)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.