Netherlands, Japan and Ecuador Advance as World Cup Knockout Picture Emerges

The race for the World Cup knockout stage intensified on Thursday as Ecuador stunned Germany to qualify for the last 32 alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Ivory Coast.

The Netherlands finished top of Group F after defeating Tunisia 3-1 in their final first-round match.

Japan also secured qualification after earning a 1-1 draw against Sweden to claim second place in the group.

As the tournament moves closer to the knockout rounds, several teams have now officially booked their places in the last 32.

Qualified teams so far include:

Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, United States, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, France, Norway, Argentina and Colombia.

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