Both Germany and Ivory Coast could wrap up Group E with a match to spare if they win Saturday’s clash in Toronto.
While victory by itself cannot guarantee the group title, it would move the winner at worst a point away. The right result in the other group match between Ecuador and Curacao later Saturday could seal the top spot.
Germany eased into the tournament with a 7-1 victory over debutante Curacao on Sunday in Houston.
Kai Havertz scored his third and fourth World Cup goals and five teammates also found the net for the four-time world champions.
After uncharacteristically failing to reach the knockout stage in 2018 and 2022, another positive result would all but assure the Germans a return to the knockout phase.
For German center back Jonathan Tah, it’s also an opportunity to play for the first time against his father’s birth country.
“This is going to be something special, that is true, to play against the (Ivory Coast) team,” Tah said. “Of course I’m excited about the (opportunity), and it’s definitely going to be more extraordinary than against any other team.”
Ivory Coast should pose a far more formidable test for Germany after their impressive 1-0 win over Ecuador in Les Elephants’ first World Cup match since 2014.
The 19-year-old Yan Diomande was exceptional on both flanks in a Man of the Match performance, while substitute Amad Diallo scored a clinical 90th-minute winner.
Manager Emerse Fae embraces the rising expectations for his squad, the youngest of 48 at this tournament.
“We’re not coming to watch the Germans play. We’re coming to beat them, we’re coming to get that qualification for the second round,” Fae said. “But above all, we want to go home after the game tomorrow to our base camp in Philadelphia not only with our six points, but also the certainty that we’ll finish top of the pack.”
A draw would make the matter of topping the group go to the final game on June 25, when Ivory Coast faces Curacao in Philadelphia and Germany plays Ecuador in East Rutherford, N.J.
Group F, Netherlands vs. Sweden in Houston: The Netherlands will be trying to shake the disappointment of a 2-2 draw against Japan in their opener after leading twice. Meanwhile, Sweden will try to build on the second-highest scoring performance of the group-stage openers in their 5-1 win over Tunisia.
Group E, Ecuador vs. Curacao in Kansas City: La Tri will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat in 20 fixtures across all competitions. Curacao will try to follow their first World Cup goal in history against Germany with the country’s first point.
Group F, Tunisia vs. Japan in Guadalupe, Mexico: Herve Renard takes charge of his first game for Tunisia after their embarrassing defeat to Sweden led to Sabri Lamouchi’s firing. Japan will look to take another step toward advancing to their third consecutive knockout phase.
–Field Level Media
