The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered a day of upsets and late drama on June 25, as Ecuador toppled Germany and Türkiye snatched a stoppage-time victory over the United States, according to FIFA, FOX Sports and Sky Sports match reports.
Across six group-stage fixtures, favorites stumbled, comebacks fell short, and Group D produced one of the tournament's most chaotic finishes. Two matches ended level or scoreless, underscoring the tightening margins as the group phase advanced.
Ecuador and Türkiye Headline the Upsets
In Group E, Ecuador overturned an early deficit to beat Germany 2-1, per FIFA and FOX Sports. Leroy Sané struck for the Germans inside two minutes, but Nilson Angulo equalized in the 9th minute before Gonzalo Plata sealed the comeback in the 77th. The result reshaped the group's balance and ranks among the day's signature shocks.
Türkiye's 3-2 win over the United States in Group D was no less dramatic, according to Sky Sports and FIFA reports. Auston Trusty put the USA ahead in the 3rd minute, but Arda Guler leveled in the 10th and Baris Alper Yilmaz nudged Türkiye in front by the 31st. Sebastian Berhalter restored parity for the Americans in the 49th minute, setting up a tense finish. Kaan Ayhan settled it deep into stoppage time, scoring in the 90+8th minute to break American hearts.
Group E and F See Contrasting Fortunes
Also in Group E, Ivory Coast eased past Curaçao 2-0 behind a Nicolas Pépé brace, per FIFA and FOX Sports. The forward struck in the 7th minute and again in the 64th to give the Ivorians a comfortable margin and a valuable clean sheet.
Group F offered a split of outcomes. The Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1, according to Sky Sports and FIFA. An Ellyes Skhiri own goal in the 3rd minute set the tone before Brian Brobbey doubled the lead in the 7th. Hazem Mastouri pulled one back for Tunisia in the 54th minute, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the Dutch cushion in the 62nd.
Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw in the same group, per FIFA and FOX Sports. Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead in the 56th minute, only for Anthony Elanga to equalize for Sweden six minutes later, leaving the points shared.
Goalless Stalemate Rounds Out the Day
The final Group D fixture between Paraguay and Australia finished 0-0, according to FIFA and Sky Sports match reports. Neither side could find a breakthrough, a result that keeps both teams' qualification hopes finely poised heading into the next round of matches.
With six matches concluded, June 25 underscored the unpredictability of the expanded tournament. From Ecuador's comeback to Türkiye's stoppage-time heroics, the day produced decisive swings that will shape the standings as the group stage builds toward its conclusion. Fans can expect the picture across Groups D, E and F to sharpen further as the remaining fixtures play out.
Sources: fifa, foxsports, skysports