Spectacular Goals, a Highly Controversial Match, More Eliminations, and the Own Goal Record Already Matched on Day 15 of the FIFA World Cup – Audience Leader

Surprises continued to unfold yesterday during the third round of the FIFA World Cup group stage, broadcast exclusively across the Antena universe. Germany, already qualified as Group E winners, suffered a defeat against Ecuador despite taking the lead in the second minute through a controversial goal. Controversy also surrounded the Paraguay–Australia clash, with the two sides seemingly settling for a mutually beneficial 0-0 draw to secure qualification. Viewers tuned in live to watch the decisive Round of 32 qualification matches, including Ecuador vs. Germany (Group E, 2-1), as well as the previous day's fixtures Scotland vs. Brazil (Group C, 3-0) and Czech Republic vs. Mexico (Group A, 0-3), for which audience figures were released today. All matches ranked as clear audience leaders.

Today, the battle for a place in the Round of 32 continues exclusively on Antena 1, AntenaPLAY, and Antena 3 CNN with matches from Groups G, H, and I: Norway vs. France, Senegal vs. Iraq, Uruguay vs. Spain, Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, New Zealand vs. Belgium, and Egypt vs. Iran. As this week's FIFA World Cup schedule features multiple simultaneous matches, AntenaPLAY has further expanded the fan experience by launching a new dedicated channel: Antena World Cup 3. As a result, every match is available live on the platform, allowing fans to choose which game to watch without missing any key moments of the tournament.

The Group E match between Ecuador and Germany, played last night from 11:00 PM to 12:58 AM and broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, was viewers' top choice. It delivered a 30.3% market share and an average rating of 5.2 points among the commercial audience aged 21-54, ahead of Pro TV's 20.5% market share and 3.5 rating points. Antena 1 also led among the urban audience with a 27.3% market share and 5.6 rating points, compared to Pro TV's 12.8% market share and 2.6 rating points. Nationwide, Antena 1 recorded a 25.3% market share and 5.0 rating points, while Pro TV followed with 14.1% market share and 2.8 rating points. During the "golden minute" at 11:17 PM, nearly 1.2 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1. At the same time, Romanian audiences also enjoyed the other Group E fixture, Curaçao vs. Côte d'Ivoire (0-2), broadcast live on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY.

The previous day's matches—Scotland vs. Brazil (Group C, 3-0) and Czech Republic vs. Mexico (Group A, 0-3)—for which audience data was released today, also topped the ratings, posting 39.8% and 35.6% market share, respectively, among the commercial audience aged 21-54. Antena maintained its leadership across all other key audience categories as well.

Last night, another major surprise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolded live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY as Ecuador defeated Germany 2-1 in Group E. Germany paid a heavy price: a controversial goal, a penalty overturned following a VAR review, and ultimately a victory for the South Americans. Although Germany took the lead as early as the second minute through Leroy Sané's disputed goal, Ecuador equalized shortly afterward before Gonzalo Plata scored the winner late in the match.

At the same time, Antena 3 CNN broadcast the other Group E encounter, where Côte d'Ivoire defeated Curaçao 2-0 to secure qualification for the Round of 32. Pepe delivered an outstanding performance. The Ivorians struck in the seventh minute after Pepe capitalized on a defensive mistake and later completed his brace in the 64th minute with a superb finish.

From 2:00 AM, live on Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY, Romanian viewers also watched the two Group F fixtures. Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in a match featuring spectacular goals from Maeda and Elanga. A result that suited both teams became reality in Dallas, with Maeda opening the scoring after an outstanding team move before Elanga equalized minutes later with a sensational strike. Both teams advance to the Round of 32.

Meanwhile, on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY, the Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1 to finish top of Group F. The Dutch made a flying start, scoring twice within the opening seven minutes. In the second minute, Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, before Brian Brobbey doubled the lead in the seventh minute. Tunisia pulled one back through Mastouri in the 54th minute, but Jan Paul van Hecke sealed the victory in the 62nd minute. Skhiri's own goal equaled the all-time FIFA World Cup record of 12 own goals, previously set at the 2018 tournament. Before 2018, the highest total had been just five own goals.

This morning, beginning at 5:00 AM, Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY broadcast the decisive Group D fixtures, where controversy once again took center stage. Turkey exited the tournament following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to the United States. The Americans opened the scoring in the third minute through Trusty after a corner kick, but Arda Güler equalized for Turkey in the 10th minute. Kökçü then put Turkey ahead in the 31st minute before Berhalter restored parity in the 49th minute. Ayhan eventually scored the winning goal in the very last play of the match.

Also at 5:00 AM, Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY aired Paraguay vs. Australia, a goalless draw that appeared to suit both teams and became one of the least eventful matches of the tournament. The result allowed Australia to finish second in the group, while Paraguay secured one of the best third-place spots, earning a Round of 32 meeting with Germany.

The FIFA World Cup continues with Day 16, bringing another series of blockbuster matches on Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY.

Day 16 Fixtures

• Norway vs. France (10:00 PM – Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)
• Senegal vs. Iraq (10:00 PM – Antena 3 CNN & AntenaPLAY)
• Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (3:00 AM – Antena 3 CNN & AntenaPLAY)
• Uruguay vs. Spain (3:00 AM – Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)
• Egypt vs. Iran (6:00 AM – Antena 3 CNN & AntenaPLAY)
• New Zealand vs. Belgium (6:00 AM – Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)

Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.
Analysis based on the following targets: Urban 21–54, Urban Total, and National.
Period: June 25, 2026.