AGENCIES

In Group E, Ecuador and Curacao meet in Kansas City on Sunday morning, both desperate to ignite their World Cup 2026 campaigns after suffering disappointing opening-day defeats.

Ecuador are headed into the tournament riding the wave of an impressive 19-match unbeaten streak. However, their momentum hit a brick wall in a 1-0 loss to the Ivory Coast. Despite bright attacking sparks from John Yeboah and Alan Minda, Sebastian Beccacece’s side lacked the clinical edge required to convert their territorial dominance into goals.

Anchored by a sturdy defense featuring PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie, alongside the midfield control of Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, Ecuador have the opportunity to bounce back. Veteran striker and captain Enner Valencia leads the attack, knowing that maximum points are an absolute necessity before a daunting final group-stage clash against Germany.

For tournament debutants Curacao, the global stage has provided a harsh but historic reality check. The tiny Caribbean nation -- the smallest ever to reach the finals -- put up a brave fight against four-time champions Germany, with Livano Comenencia netting a famous equaliser before the European heavyweights pulled away to secure a 7-1 victory.

While Dick Advocaat’s charges will look to stay organised in a compact defensive block and spring counter-attacks, the pressure sits squarely on Ecuador’s shoulders to turn possession into a convincing, high-scoring victory to keep their knockout dreams alive.