Germany don show say dem be real contenders for this World Cup, as dem prepare to face Ecuador for di final group E match. Julian Nagelsmann side don already book dia place for di last 32, but for Ecuador, dis match na do or die.
Ecuador ambition for di tournament don suffer big blow. After dem lose 1-0 to Ivory Coast for dia opener, dem bin hope for revival. But Curacao, di smallest country to ever qualify for World Cup, hold dem to goalless draw. Di island nation pull off one of di tournament upset. Now Ecuador must beat Germany by two or more goals and hope Ivory Coast drop points against Curacao. But dat one no likely.
Germany don show dia power. Dem thrash Curacao 7-1 for dia first match, di biggest win of di tournament. Den dem bin dey heading for draw against Ivory Coast, but Deniz Undav stoppage-time strike secure 2-1 victory. Dem go finish top of Group E after Curacao hold Ecuador. Germany be di first European nation to qualify for last 32.
Di match get nothing at stake for di four-time world champions, but na decisive fixture for Ecuador. Di gulf in quality between di two sides stark. Expect Germany to comfortably dispatch Ecuador side wey neva score any goal for dis edition.
Ecuador don be one of di poorest performers so far. Dem neva net single goal. Against Ivory Coast, dem manage just four shots on target from 15 attempts. Dia lack of clinical finish dey glaring. Germany, by contrast, don score nine goals, di highest for di tournament. Dem get confidence, especially after dia late winning goal against Ivory Coast.
With little at stake for Nagelsmann side, dem no go adopt defensive approach. Manuel Neuer dey stuck on seven World Cup clean sheets. He go eager to climb into di top three, alongside icons Sepp Maier, Peter Shilton, and Fabien Barthez.
Ecuador underperform for both attack and defence. Dem suffer 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast, den play goalless stalemate with minnows Curacao. Di tournament debutants bin inspire by goalkeeper Eloy Room, wey make 15 saves – di most for single World Cup match, level with Tim Howard against Belgium for 2014.
Germany boast Manuel Neuer for goal. For attack, Deniz Undav and Kai Havertz don impress. With nine goals, dem be di tournament top scorers. Di majority of dia goals arrive for di second half, but Nagelsmann side dey grow confidence. Dem go aim to pressure Ecuador from di start, with Neuer chasing eighth World Cup clean sheet.
Germany dey expected to secure first-half lead before di match open up after interval.
