Ecuador beat Germany to reach World Cup last 32

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Ecuador’s forward #11 Kevin Rodriguez and Germany’s defender #22 David Raum fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Ecuador and Germany at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 25, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

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Ecuador kept their World Cup campaign alive as Gonzalo Plata’s winner completed a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany to send them through to the last 32 on Thursday.

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Leroy Sane controversially fired Germany ahead less than two minutes into the Group E clash, but Ecuador hit back through a fine strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo.

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Plata then prodded home from close range 13 minutes from time, sparking wild celebrations among a largely Ecuadorian crowd in New Jersey as the South Americans ensured they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

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Germany will travel to Foxborough for their last-32 tie against another third-placed finisher on Monday, in their first World Cup knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014.

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Julian Nagelsmann made two injury-enforced changes with Antonio Rudiger replacing Nico Schlotterbeck after the Borussia Dortmund defender was ruled out of the World Cup with ankle ligament damage.

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David Raum came in for Nathaniel Brown at left-back, but Nagelsmann resisted the temptation to start Deniz Undav despite his heroics off the bench against Ivory Coast when he scored both goals in the 2-1 win.

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Germany, with top spot in the group already assured, took the lead in a manner that enraged an Ecuador side fighting to stay in the tournament after picking up just one point in their first two games.

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Sane swept in a first-time shot from Florian Wirtz’s lay-off in the area, but Ecuador were incensed that a foul was not given earlier in the move, when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite in the head with a high boot.

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The decision to let the goal stand sparked a furious reaction from Ecuador, who levelled seven minutes later as Angulo drilled low past Manuel Neuer from 20 yards after Felix Nmecha lost possession in his own half.

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Kai Havertz tested Hernan Galindez with a header and then thought he had won a penalty less than 30 seconds after half-time when Joel Ordonez upended the Arsenal striker in the box.

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VAR intervened on this occasion, to Ecuador’s evident relief, and the spot-kick was overturned after a foul by Sane on Vite in the build-up.

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Nagelsmann turned to Undav on the hour, Germany’s super-sub with three goals so far at the tournament, but Ecuador knew they had to throw caution to the wind.

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Enner Valencia’s fierce effort was beaten away by Neuer, before a defensive mix-up nearly opened the door for Ecuador.

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Confusion between Neuer and Jonathan Tah almost let Kevin Rodriguez sneak in and Plata steered wide from the follow-up cross delivered by Moises Caicedo.

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Sane had a glorious chance to put Germany back on top but shot tamely at Galindez, and Ecuador made the most of that escape as Plata rode to the rescue.

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Rodriguez flicked on a corner and Plata stabbed home from right in front of Neuer to end Germany’s 11-match winning run and book Ecuador’s place in the knockout stage for only the second time, provoking tears of joy from their fans in the stands.

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AFP

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