Group EFull time
Final · Jun 20Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
The market saw itImplied · model line
The stakes
Full time: Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao — a Group E result now baked into the table.
- storylineCuraçao — the smallest nation that ever qualifiedReality bit hard: lost 7-1 to Germany on debut (June 14) — but scored their historic first-ever World Cup goal (Comenencia). Bottom of Group E. The dream now is one more goal, one more moment.
The two sides
EcuadorTheir best squad ever, gutted by a late loss
Arguably their best team ever — a £100M midfielder, a 19-year-old phenom, an elite defense — walking in on a 19-game unbeaten run. A heartbroken favorite is a dangerous, gripping watch.
CuraçaoThe smallest country ever to qualify
An island of 156,000 — the smallest nation EVER at a World Cup — whose fans cried tears of joy through a 7-1 loss. For one stunning moment they were tied with Germany. Root for the purest David there is.
Who plays where
Ecuador
- Bayer LeverkusenPiero Hincapié
- ChelseaMoisés Caicedo
- PachucaEnner Valencia
- River Plate (on loan from Chelsea)Kendry Páez
Curaçao
- FC VolendamJuninho Bacuna
- FC ZürichLivano Comenencia
- Iğdır FKLeandro Bacuna
- Miami FCEloy Room
- Sheffield UnitedTahith Chong