Matchday 15 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup promised more of the same, as the current edition of the tournament continues to draw eyes despite the controversies off the pitch.
Ivory Coast held off Curaçao 2-0 to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Ecuador shocked Germany, turning a deficit around to win 2-1 and potentially save their World Cup campaign.
Netherlands comfortably beat Tunisia 3-1 to win their group, while Japan and Sweden battled
it out to a draw.
Finally, the USA fell to a late, later Türkiye winner but still advance as group winners. Australia joins them after a bore 0-0 draw with Paraguay, which ensures neither of these teams show up in the rest of the article.
Check out all the goals, highlights, and more from the fifteenth matchday of the FIFA World Cup!
Yan Diomandé, Nicolas Pépé profit from abysmal defending
Comical defending from World Cup newbies Curaçao saw a defender blast the ball off of another, allowing Yan Diomandé to steal in, get the ball and play it across for Nicolas Pépé to put into the back of the net.
Ivory Coast double their lead following a beautiful through ball
Ivory Coast controlled this match and rubber stamped their victory with this goal. This goal was much prettier than the first, with Ibrahim Sangare digging out a pinpoint pass to Nicolas Pépé’s left foot, who managed to adjust well enough to get his second of the game.
Leroy Sané scores a controversial goal
A throw in from the right saw Aleksandar Pavlović to control the ball and lay it off to Florian Wirtz, who in turn squared the ball for Leroy Sané to side foot it into the back of the net. However, the goal was overshadowed by the controversial decision to not penalize Pavlović for a high boot.
First Ecuador goal of the tournament!
Sometimes, goals are worth the wait. Ecuador had taken over 40 shots in the tournament and seen Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room break the record for most amount of saves made in a 90-minute match in a tournament. But they still had not scored a goal. It only took 1 shot to score against Germany, however, and it was a screamer.
Ecuador winner causes pandemonium
Despite equalizing against Germany, Ecuador were out of the tournament if they did not win the match. So they pushed for a winner and, late on, Gonazola Plata stuck a foot out to divert the ball past Manuel Neuer for the match winner. There was pandemonium as Ecuador celebrated what would eventually become the goal that saved their World Cup hopes.
Japan scores a goal of the tournament contender
Japan and Sweden were locked at 0-0 at halftime and both teams had created very little. It always seemed like something special was needed to break the deadlock and that is exactly what happened as four Japanese players linked up in a brilliant, flowing attacking move.
But Sweden strikes back
Typical of the close game, Sweden almost immediately mustered a response. Anthony Elanga cut in and curled a shot into the far corner. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki might want to have that one back.
Tunisia captain forced into embarrassing own goal
Captain Ellyes Skhiri would have hoped this match would go a little differently. Having apologized to the fans after losing their first two matches 9-1 on aggregate, putting the ball into his own net in the 3rd minute would not have been in his plans. But, after a dangerous low cross by new Real Madrid player Denziel Dumfries, Skhiri failed to set his feet in time and stumbled the ball into his own net.
Netherlands roar into a dominant early lead
It went from bad to worse for Tunisia as Tijjani Reijnders floated in a cross, Virgil Van Dijk headed it down and Brian Brobbey buried it into the back of the net.
Hope for Tunisia!
Tunisia managed to hold the two-goal deficit until halftime and even halved it in the 54th minute when Mastouri found himself unmarked in the box and headed the ball home.
…Tunisian hope did not last long
Corners give, corners take. Tijjani Reijnders floated the ball to the near post and Jan Paul van Hecke somehow lifted the ball into the far post with a phenomenal header.
Reserve CB scores first ever goal for USMNT
What a way to score your first goal for your country. Starting simply due to USA’s heavy rotation in their final match against Türkiye, having already won the group, Aaron Trusty needed less than three minutes in the match to open his account for the USMNT. A corner caused havoc for Türkiye, giving Trusty the chance to control the ball and lash it into the back of the net.
Türkiye star brings them back level
21-year-old Arda Güler has suffered somewhat under heavy expectations this World Cup, but he came to life here. Following Güler’s smart combination with teammate Baris Yilmaz, the latter laid the ball off superbly to the Real Madrid player to place it into the back of the net. Like Ecuador, Türkiye had not scored a goal before this matchday and it was a big relief.
Türkiye complete turnaround with stunning team goal
Now that they had grabbed their first goal of the tournament, the floodgates were open for Türkiye. Kenan Yildiz received the ball on the left and waited for the overlap from Elmali before sliding the ball to Arda Güler, who was in the perfect position to play the marauding full back through. Elmali delivered an inch perfect pass to Orkun Kökcü, whose shot hit the back of the net. Still, the ball heavily deflected off of teammate Baris Yilmaz, so Yilmaz was credited with the goal.
Sebastian Berhalter brings USA level again
Türkiye failed to clear the ball again and again after a long throw in, before the ball bounced out to Sebastian Berhalter. The young midfielder took a first time shot and rifled it into the near post to draw the game level again at 2-2.
Türkiye scores unbelievably late winner
In 8th minute (after seven minutes were initially added on after the regular 90 minutes), Türkiye’s pressure told. USMNT’s defense was sucked to their left side of the box, leaving substitute Can Uzun free on the other side. He used that space to control the ball and send it across the six yard box, where fellow substitute Kaan Ayhan stabbed it home for a dramatic winner. It may not have mattered for Türkiye’s qualification, but at least the team can send their fans home happy after one thrilling late victory.
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