Germany v Ecuador LIVE: World Cup 2026 score and latest Group E updates – UK Times

38 mens: Alarm bells sound for Ecuador as Musiala begins to do his thing, sending Vite to the ground with the cutback and setting himself to shoot.

But who else comes in to make the tackle than Franco, who has been everywhere so far this game.

35 mins: Another half-chance for Germany.

Wirtz slips in Musiala after Franco loses out on a header, but just as the Bayern man goes to let fly he’s thwarted by the challenge of Ordonez.

A tackle that’s cheered like a goal by the Ecuador fans.

You know what that means: the pace of the game has dropped off – largely because Ivory Coast have settled into possession, with Curacao looking less and less likely to counter at the moment.

A lot of the Ivory Coast’s probing has come via their young star Diomande on the left wing.

29 mins: The pundits in BBC’s studio are unanimous in thinking Germany’s opener should have been ruled out.

It’s yet another contentious on-field decision that’s been stuck with by VAR. A bit baffling.

27 mins: Time for our mandated hydration break. We’re a bit over-time – sound the advertising alarm, Gianni!

26 mins: Super ball from Raum aiming for the head of Havertz, but the Liverpool man can’t get power on the header and it’s simple for Galindez.

23 mins: Nervy moments for Germany – Ecuador are playing with real fluidity.

A lot of their joy is coming down the right with Franco peppering Neuer’s box with crosses, one that flies dangerously close to Valencia’s head, but nothing to test the stopper just yet.

Hincapie is then set into the box but it’s brilliant tracking back from Sane to put a foot in. The Ecuador fans want a penalty but it’s telling the players don’t appeal.

21 mins: Although they’re already trailing, Curacao have been in this game.

The match is ebbing and flowing, with Ivory Coast looking fairly dangerous and Curacao then breaking with intent.

The crowd is well up for this, too.

19 mins: Hincapie fumes at the referee after Kimmich goes down in his own box, the Arsenal man having the ball in a dangerous position on the byline.

You can understand why – replays show it’s Kimmich who’s got a handful of the Ecuadorian’s shirt before tumbling over.

Referee Tori Penso isn’t a popular figure within the Ecuador faithful at the moment.

17 mins: This game has slightly calmed down after such a frantic start.

Both teams are trying to build out from the back rather than try and catch the other one out on the break.