Latin America Sports Daily for Friday, June 26, 2026

01

Ecuador’s 40th attempt finally scored — and their World Cup is only just beginning

World Cup

Leroy Sané fired Germany ahead in the second minute, a side-footed finish that seemed to confirm every pessimistic reading of Ecuador’s tournament. They had zero goals across 38 prior attempts.

Then came attempt number 40.

Nilson Angulo received the ball outside the German penalty area in the ninth minute, bent a shot into the far corner, and scored Ecuador’s first World Cup goal of 2026. The reaction from the Ecuadorian supporters inside MetLife Stadium was not the controlled celebration of a team that expected this.

It was release.

Germany had a penalty given in the second half for Ordóñez fouling Havertz, but VAR overturned it after a review showed Sané had fouled Vite in the build-up. The game stayed level; Ecuador pressed; Germany ran short of urgency.

In the 77th minute, Kevin Rodríguez flicked on a corner at the near post. Gonzalo Plata stabbed the ball past Manuel Neuer, who had failed to claim it cleanly, and Metro Life exploded.

Ecuador won 2-1 and are through to the round of 32 for the first time since 2006, their second-ever knockout-stage appearance. Their xG across the game was 1.51 to Germany’s 0.65.

Beccacece said after the game: “This is for the people. The players have given them this qualification.”

02

Paraguay draw Australia 0-0 and both advance — a quiet ending to a turbulent group

World Cup

Paraguay and Australia played out a 0-0 draw at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, a result that suited both sides, advanced both sides, and produced exactly the football you would expect from two teams who needed the same outcome.

Paraguay finish third in Group D with four points: the 4-1 loss to the USA, the 1-0 survival against Türkiye with ten men, and this draw. They advance as one of the best third-placed teams, joining Ecuador in the round of 32.

Australia take second place in Group D behind the USA and will play in the round of 32.

In the same group’s other game, Turkey beat the already-qualified United States 3-2 with a goal in the 92nd minute from Kaan Ayhan. It did not affect the group standings; the USA had already won Group D and advanced.

03

Uruguay vs Spain tonight — De Arrascaeta and Araújo’s return is the only question that matters

World Cup

Uruguay have two points from draws against Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Cape Verde (2-2), the Cape Verde equaliser coming from a preventable Olivera error. Both games were played without De Arrascaeta and Araújo.

Kick-off at Estadio Guadalajara tonight at 8pm ET. A win puts Uruguay through; a draw or a defeat, depending on the Cape Verde-Saudi Arabia result in Houston, likely ends their World Cup.

Spain arrive having beaten Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their last game, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal and Oyarzabal netting twice. De La Fuente has managed the squad’s minutes carefully and will approach tonight with a full-strength side.

If De Arrascaeta starts tonight alongside Valverde and Bentancur in midfield, Uruguay have the creative capacity to hurt Spain’s press. Without him, the same team that struggled to break down Saudi Arabia’s low block faces an even more demanding defensive setup.

Bielsa’s teams are built for exactly this kind of high-stakes, single-game pressure. The question is whether he has the players to execute it.

04

Colombia and Argentina both play tomorrow — and the knockout round takes shape

World Cup

Friday June 27: Colombia vs Portugal (Miami, 9pm ET)

Both are through; this game decides Group K seeding and Ronaldo vs Díaz is the contest inside it. James could earn his tenth World Cup cap, equalling Valderrama and Rincón on Colombia’s all-time list.

Friday June 27: Argentina vs Jordan (Dallas, 9pm ET)

Argentina have six points and face Jordan, who have lost both games; Scaloni will rotate and manage Messi’s minutes carefully. Romero‘s knee injury may mean a new centre-back partnership.

The round of 32 picture

Brazil face Japan in Houston on June 29; Morocco face the Netherlands in Monterrey. Ecuador and Paraguay await their knockout opponents as the group stage concludes.

05

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How did Ecuador beat Germany?

Ecuador fell behind in the second minute when Sané guided a finish past Galíndez, but Angulo equalised in the ninth with an arrowed shot from outside the box: Ecuador’s first goal of the 2026 World Cup on their 40th attempt.

A German penalty was overturned by VAR after a review showed Sané had fouled Vite in the build-up. Plata won it in the 77th minute from a corner; Ecuador won 2-1; their first competitive win over a UEFA side since 2013 and first round of 32 appearance since 2006.

Are Paraguay through to the round of 32?

Yes. Paraguay drew 0-0 with Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Thursday and advance to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, with four points from their three group games.

Their group stage: a 4-1 loss to the USA, a 1-0 win over Türkiye with ten men where Türkiye had an xG of 2.10 and scored zero, and this draw. Four points is enough to progress as a third-placed qualifier.

What does Uruguay need tonight against Spain?

A win. Uruguay are on two points after drawing Saudi Arabia 1-1 and Cape Verde 2-2; they need three more tonight to be certain of advancing from Group H.

A draw leaves their fate dependent on the Cape Verde-Saudi Arabia result in Houston, kicking off simultaneously at 8pm ET.

Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their last game; Yamal scored his first World Cup goal and Oyarzabal netted twice. De La Fuente has managed the squad carefully and will field a full-strength side tonight.