Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Ecuador produced a rousing fightback to come from behind and beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, securing a dramatic place in the World Cup last 32 for the first time since 2006. The victory, which saw Ecuador finish third in Group E with four points, guaranteed them a spot in the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Germany, who had already clinched first place in the group with wins over Ivory Coast and Curaçao, took the lead in stunning fashion just 1 minute and 50 seconds into the match. Leroy Sane scored his 18th international goal, finishing from close range after a pass from Florian Wirtz. It was Germany's earliest World Cup goal since 1934. However, the lead was short-lived as Ecuador equalised in the ninth minute. Midfielder Nilson Angulo, after collecting a pass from Alan Vite, dribbled towards goal and beat veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a low shot from just outside the area.
The second half began with a controversial moment when American referee Tori Penso awarded Germany a penalty less than 30 seconds in, after Joel Ordonez took down Kai Havertz. However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the decision was overturned. The review showed that Sane had committed a foul on Vite in the build-up, leading to the penalty being rescinded.
The turning point came in the 77th minute. Ecuador's Pedro Vite delivered a corner kick, which Kevin Rodriguez flicked on to Gonzalo Plata. The 25-year-old forward, who had earlier taken a kick to the head during Germany's opening goal, poked the ball past the 40-year-old Neuer to give Ecuador a 2-1 lead. Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece ran to the stands in celebration.
Germany pushed for an equaliser but Ecuador held firm to secure the victory. The win ended Germany's 11-match winning streak, one short of the team record set between 1979 and 1980. Despite the defeat, Germany remained top of Group E with six points, ahead of Ivory Coast on goal difference. Ivory Coast secured second place with a 2-0 victory over Curaçao, eliminating the tournament's smallest nation by population.
The result has significant implications for the knockout stage. Ecuador will now advance to the Round of 32, while Germany, the four-time champions, will face their last-32 opponent on Monday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, most likely against Paraguay, Australia, or Sweden.
Ecuador's head coach, Sebastian Beccacece, expressed his joy after the match, dedicating the victory to the people of Ecuador. "The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people," he said. "The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please". In contrast, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was left dismayed, describing his team's performance as "tactical suicide". "We got off to a great start," Nagelsmann said. "Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult".
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