Perhaps the most important Group E match that Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador will play is this one against each other, because it could determine who automatically qualifies the round of 32.
The assumption is that Germany will top the final standings, and both Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador will beat lowly Curaçao, pitting them against each other for the second automatic knockout berth. It might not play out like that, but starting off with a win is crucial for both teams nonetheless.
