Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata complete a memorable comeback as Ecuador reach the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ecuador produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, defeating already-qualified Germany 2-1 at MetLife Stadium and securing a place in the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Sebastián Beccacece’s side entered the final Group E match knowing only a victory would keep their hopes alive. Against a German team that had already clinched top spot, La Tri showed resilience, personality and belief to overturn an early deficit and claim a historic result.
Germany looked set for another comfortable evening after taking the lead just two minutes into the contest. Florian Wirtz found Leroy Sané arriving at the edge of the box and the Bayern Munich winger fired a precise finish into the bottom corner. Ecuador protested for a possible foul by Pavlovic on Pedro Vite in the build-up, but after a lengthy VAR review the goal stood.
The South Americans responded immediately.
Only seven minutes later Pedro Vite picked out Nilson Angulo, who unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the area that flew beyond Manuel Neuer and restored parity. The equalizer changed the momentum of the match and Ecuador gradually grew in confidence.
Opportunities became scarce before halftime, with Kai Havertz’s header comfortably gathered by Hernán Galíndez representing Germany’s best chance.
Nagelsmann’s side thought they had been handed a golden opportunity early in the second half when Tori Penso awarded a penalty for Ordóñez’s challenge on Havertz. However, after another VAR intervention, the decision was overturned due to a previous foul by Sané on Pedro Vite.
Ecuador sensed their moment.
Enner Valencia tested Neuer from distance just after the hour mark, before Gonzalo Plata squandered a huge opportunity moments later after being played through by Moisés Caicedo.
The miss did not haunt him.
At the 78th minute Plata redeemed himself, reacting quickest inside the area following a corner and poking home the decisive goal that sparked wild celebrations among Ecuadorian supporters.
Germany attempted to salvage a point in the closing stages but lacked intensity and precision, while Ecuador defended heroically to preserve a victory that sends them into the knockout rounds.
Germany finish Group E in first place despite the defeat, while Ecuador advances thanks to a superior record among the third-placed teams.
Match Report
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Scorers:
2′ Sané (GER)
9′ Angulo (ECU)
78′ Plata (ECU)
Ecuador (4-4-2)
Galíndez; Franco (64′ Preciado), Ordóñez, Pacho, Hincapié (71′ Estupiñán); Yeboah (89′ Torres), Vite, Caicedo, Angulo (89′ J. Caicedo); Plata, Valencia (64′ Rodríguez).
Coach: Sebastián Beccacece
Germany (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Kimmich (59′ Thiaw), Rüdiger, Tah, Raum; Nmecha (64′ Beier), Pavlovic (46′ Stiller); Sané, Musiala, Wirtz (74′ Groß); Havertz (59′ Undav).
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Referee: Tori Penso (USA)
Yellow Cards: Hincapié, Pavlovic, Franco, Plata
Red Cards: None
Notable Incident: Germany were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
Final Group E Standings
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 6 |
| 2 | Côte d’Ivoire | 6 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 4 |
| 4 | Curaçao | 1 |
Qualified: Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador (best third-placed team)
