Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Ecuador goals: Nilson Angulo (9) Gonzalo Plata (77) Germany goal: Leroy Sané (2)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Ecuador have secured their spot in the Round of 32 after they came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E game on Thursday.
With group winners Germany already qualified for the next stage after two wins, the big question for the large sections of the New York/New Jersey Stadium swathed in yellow was whether Ecuador could join them after firing blanks – and taking a single point – against Côte d’Ivoire and Curaçao.
To Ecuador’s credit, they took just seven minutes to respond as they finally broke their duck at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The source was not Enner Valencia, making a record ninth World Cup appearance for his country. Rather it was midfielder Nilson Angulo, brought in for his first start here in North America. Pablo Vite picked up a loose ball in Germany’s half and fed Angulo who, finding space to shoot just outside the D, fired through the legs of Aleksandar Pavlović and beyond the dive of Manuel Neuer.
The second half began with a Germany penalty award that referee Tori Penso overturned after a VAR review owing to an earlier foul by Sane on Vite. It took until the last quarter, though, for the real drama to arrive.
After a mix-up between Neuer and Jonathan Tah, Plata turned a Moises Caicedo cross over the bar from close range. Sane then shot at Galindez after racing through at the other end, yet Ecuador would not be denied. Moments after substitute Kevin Rodriguez had seen his shot deflected over, he flicked on a corner at the near post for Plata to get his foot to the ball ahead of Neuer and steer it into the roof of the net.
The victory has confirmed Ecuador’s place in the knockouts as one of the best eight third-placed teams. Germany, despite defeat, still top the section thanks to their superior goal difference over Côte d’Ivoire, who also finished with six points.
|
Group E
|
P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | TCS | Pts | Form | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Germany
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 6 | -1 | 6 |
–
–
|
|
| 2 |
 Côte d’Ivoire
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 6 |
–
–
|
|
| 3 |
 Ecuador
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -5 | 4 |
–
–
|
|
| 4 |
 Curaçao
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | -7 | 1 |
–
–
|
|
Key stat
Ecuador have only reached the knockout stage once before, when reaching the Round of 16 at Germany 2006.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Nilson Angulo (Ecuador)
What they said
“It’s not about what it means to me; this is for the people. The players have given them this qualification. Let them celebrate and enjoy it.” Sebastián Beccacece, Ecuador coach
“We were really looking forward to this before the World Cup began. It feels different today because we struggled so much in the first two matches. It’s better this way; it’s a learning experience for us and now we’ll go into the next round even more hungry for glory. This team believes strongly in itself. We have 26 players who will give their all for Ecuador. We’ve filled stadiums everywhere, our fans have made us feel at home in every stadium. They deserve this more than anyone. They did their part, they helped us a lot and motivated us.” Gonzalo Plata, Ecuador forward
“We started well, but then we gave the ball away too cheaply and kept inviting them on. We made it easy for them and let them grow into the game. In the second half, the defeat was deserved.” Joshua Kimmich, Germany captain speaking to ARD
“Ecuador were more aggressive and sharper than we were. That’s something we need to learn from and draw the right conclusions. We weren’t as direct in our play and we didn’t create as many chances.” Deniz Undav, Germany forward
Information and Photos Courtesy of FIFA
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