FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group E Trivia Quiz

Answer: Germany won 7-1

After conceding within 6 minutes, Curaçao shocked everyone (but themselves) by equalising through the boot of Livano Comenencia after 21 minutes. To be fair, Curaçao had played very well up to that point and had not been overwhelmed by the occasion. The Germans switched themselves into technical mode and simply chipped away at their opponents as the match progressed, gradually increasing their lead, capitalising on simple defensive errors. Until just before half time the score was 2-1, but two goals just before and after the break took the match from beyond Curaçao's reach.

A side note: Germany's goalie, Manuel Neuer, at 40 years and 79 days, became the oldest Germany player to feature at a major tournament. The record was previously set by Lothar Matthaus, at the Euro 2000 tournament.
Curaçao were formerly known as the Netherlands Antilles.

Answer: Ivory Coast won 1-0

It was one of those games where it looked like no team would ever score, no matter how hard they tried. Amad Diallo won the game for the Elephants with a goal in the last minute of regular time. He broke the deadlock as he placed the ball inside the post from the edge of the penalty area after a cross from Wilfried Singo. Ecuador was the fourth country since 1966 to hit the woodwork three times in a WC Finals match and lose.

Côte d'Ivoire have appeared in four Finals tournaments (including 2026) and they had won one game in each of the opening group stages in which they have competed. They won again.

Answer: 3

Playing in Toronto, if Côte d'Ivoire were nervous they didn't show it. Just before the half hour, their captain, Franck Kessie, knocked in a rebound after an initial shot was blocked on the line. Germany had two 'goals' disallowed in the first half, one for a foul on the keeper Yahia Fofana by Aleksandar Pavlovic, the sort of decision that is sometime given and sometimes not, and for a blatant foul by Jamal Musiala in the lead up play to Florian Wirtz putting the ball into the net. 1-0 to Côte d'Ivoire at half time, with the Germans leaving the field looking visibly frustrated.

After 68 minutes, Deniz Undav ghosted into space into the box to slam home an equaliser for Germany, 1-1. In the 88th minute, Simon Adingra was played through and all he had to do was shoot first time, but to the astonishment of everybody watching he chose to cut back inside, and the chance was lost. One minute later Germany could have taken the lead at the other end, but Nathaniel Brown's shot was well saved by Fofana. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Undav was found in the area with a brilliant bullet pass from Lukas Nmecha. He took one touch, turned a smashed it home for Germany's winner, 2-1.

After the embarrassment of Group stage exists in 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar, this result guaranteed the Germans of progression to the Round of 32 and barring an extremely unlikely turn of events in the third matches for all teams, winning Group E.
Deniz Undav now has nine goals from his last eight Germany appearances.

Answer: Eloy Room (Curacao)

Yes, this was the same Eloy Room that conceded seven goals to Germany in the opening match (thanks to the little to no help from the ten players in front of him...). The first half was an even affair, with goalmouth chances at each end being thwarted by solid defending and excellent goalkeeping. The Ecuadorian fans obviously had an expectation that their country would win - as the first half progressed, the jeers and groans were audible every time their team went backwards. Have patience, little grasshoppers! 0-0 at half time.

The second half continued in the same vein. Goalmouth scrambles, end to end attacks, outstanding goalkeeping. Curaçao's goalie Eloy Room in particular, was performing miracles. After yet another outstanding save, the commentator stated: "He has a cape on!" Ecuador was having a greater percentage of possession, and more attempted shots. All of that means nothing when the ball doesn't go into the net.

After 75 minutes in the match had elapsed, it was still goalless. 80 minutes. 85 minutes. In the 90th minute, a cross by Ecuador's Angelo Preciado bounced off the top of the crossbar. 90 minutes, end of stoppage time, end of regulation time, still 0-0. Five minutes of stoppage time seemed like an eternity for Curaçao and passed in the blink of an eye for the hapless Ecuadorians.

"A boulder in the sea has a point at the World Cup" was the statement from the commentator when the full-time whistle blew. It may not last in time like "Oh, the humanity" or "I have a dream" - but for Curaçao, their dreams were answered, as well as those on most neutrals watching. For Ecuador, their dreams were shattered. This editor can say he had the privilege of watching history take place - world football is alive and thriving!

Eloy Room astonishingly made 16 saves in the match. It is the most ever registered in a 90 minute match, and equalled the all-time record set by the USA's Tim Howard in their extra-time (an extra 30 minutes) loss to Belgium at Brazil 2014.

Answer: Ecuador won

So, with Germany already assured of top spot, would they tank it? The next 90 minutes would tell the tale. In the 2nd minute, the ball was worked methodically across the Ecuadorian penalty area, and Leroy Sane slotted it into the corner of Hernan Galindez's net. 1-0 to Germany. Or was it? There was a high (as in head high) boot that connected with an Ecuadorian defender's head in the build up, VAR decided it wasn't worth the referee having a second look at, which seemed a rough decision. In the 9th minute Ecuador was level, courtesy of a long range strike from Nilson Angulo with gave keeper Manuel Neuer no chance. Score was now 1-1.

In the 14th Minute, Felix Nmecha shot across the face of the Ecuadorian goal. In the 23rd minute a couple of Ecuadorian crosses came to nothing. In the 25th minute Kai Havertz's header was easily saved by Ecuador's Galindez. In the 35th minute, Jamal Musiala's shot was blocked by Ecuador's Joel Ordonez. After 40 minutes, Musiala's cross was cleared by Moises Caicedo. 1-1 at half time.

Less than a minute after kick off in the second half, Harvertz was brought down by Ordonez in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot. However, the VAR referred the referee to the monitor to examine a foul in the lead up play. The penalty was overturned. In the 54th minute, John Yeboah's cross was deflected behind the German goal. In the 62nd minute Yeboah set up Ennes Valencia to crack a shot at goal which Neuer had to beat out. After 62 minutes, Florian Wirtz's cross was plucked away from Denis Undav's head by Galindez at full stretch. In the 72nd minute a German defensive mix up eventually saw Gonzalo Plata's shot go just wide. In the 76th minute, Sane shot straight at Galindez with the whole goal to choose from. After 76 minutes, Kevin Rodriguez's shot was blocked at point blank range by Jonathan Tah. In the 78th minute, Ecuador took a corner, it was nodded on by Rodriguez, and Plata was at the near post to flick it past Neuer. 2-1 to Ecuador. In the 88th minute Raum's free kick for Germany was headed behind. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Undav fired into the side netting from a tight angle. Full time, 2-1 to Ecuador.

Despite the loss, Germany topped Group E. As a result of Côte d'Ivoire's victory over Curaçao, they finished second and, with the Germans, progressed to the Round of 32. Ecuador had to wait, to see if they were one of the eight best third-placed teams. Curaçao was eliminated.

Answer: 2-0 Ivory Coast won

In the 2nd minute, Curaçao's Tahith Chong had a shot which was easily saved by Yahia Fofana. In the 7th minute, a favourable ricochet fell to Ousmane Diomande in the box, who passed to Nicolas Pepe to slot the ball home. 1-0 to Côte d'Ivoire. In the 10th minute Amad Diallo shot wide. In the 14th minute, Jurien Gaari fired a shot wide of the far post. In the 18th minute Pepe had a good chance in the area but scuffed his shot. In the 23rd minute, Diallo's shot was stopped by Gaari's face, causing a halt in play. In the 38th minute, Chong shot wide. In the 44th minute Leandro Bacuna drove into the box but shot wide. 1-0 to Côte d'Ivoire at half time.

In the 52nd minute Franck Kessie's shot from the edge of the area was blocked. In the 55th minute the ball fell to Sherel Floranus whose shot just missed the top corner. After 64 minutes, Pepe was played through in the right hand side of the area, and he shot across the keeper into the far corner. 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire. In the 74th minute Chong's shot was easily saved by Eloy Room. In the 86th minute, Armando Obispo was millimetres away from turning a cross into his own net. In the 89th minute, Elye Wahi's shot was blocked at close range. One minute later, Tyrese Noslin tried to chip Fofana from 45 metres, his attempt was tipped over. Full time, final score 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire.

As a result of this match, Côte d'Ivoire finished second in Group E and, with the Germans, who lost to Ecuador but still topped the group, they progressed to the Round of 32. Ecuador had to wait to see if they were one of the eight-best third-placed teams. Curaçao was eliminated.

Answer: Curacao

For the Germans to top the group was no surprise, nor was Curaçao finishing last (though what a fight they put up after the first match). Côte d'Ivoire finishing above Ecuador raised some eyebrows.

Answer: Deniz Undav (Germany)

Germany's Deniz Undav added his side's seventh in their demolition of Curaçao in their first match, then followed it up with a brace in the second match against Côte d'Ivoire. Germany's Kai Havertz scored two in the match against Curaçao and Côte d'Ivoire's Nicolas Pepe got both of his country's goals in their match against Curaçao. All other goal scorers managed single efforts only.

There were no own goals scored in this group.

Answer: Germany

Courtesy of their 7-1 victory in the first match, Germany always seemed likely to top this table, and they did with ten goals. Ecuador were next with four, Côte d'Ivoire got two and Curaçao scored a single goal.

Answer: Curacao

What can be said about Curaçao? Yes, they conceded nine, but seven of them were against the rampant Germans in the first match. Germany themselves let in four, and Ecuador and (to their credit) Côte d'Ivoire only conceded two goals.