Ecuador Stun Germany 2-1 to Reach World Cup Round of 32

June 25, 2026

Drinks flew into the air. Substitutes sprinted onto the pitch. Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece embraced a loved one behind the bench. The sea of yellow inside MetLife Stadium made the whole place feel like it was shaking.

Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute goal clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory for Ecuador over Germany, sending them through to the round of 32 just when it seemed their lack of finishing would send them crashing out of the World Cup early.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions. The joy of taking the lead quickly gave way to 13 agonizing minutes — plus seven minutes of stoppage time — filled with desperate clearances, last-ditch tackles, and shredded nerves as Ecuador clung on against a late German push.

Germany’s hearts didn’t seem fully in it. Coach Julian Nagelsmann named a strong lineup, making just two changes from their previous win, but with top spot in Group E already secured, they lacked the same urgency. They started brightly and took the lead in the second minute through Leroy Sané, but Ecuador’s desire, hunger, and sheer determination ultimately carried the day.

This is a side many expected to go far in the tournament, yet they had failed to score in their first two matches. It wasn’t for lack of effort — they had racked up 39 shots without finding the net — but the finishing had been poor.

The situation in New Jersey was clear: win or go home.

Ecuador faced an early setback when Germany midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic appeared to kick Pedro Vite in the face just before Florian Wirtz set up Sané for the opener. Despite furious protests from the Ecuador players, VAR did not intervene.

They needed a break — and they got one. Seven minutes later, Vite won the ball back and fed Nilson Angulo, whose fierce shot squeezed through Pavlovic’s legs and into the far corner. Manuel Neuer, now 40, looked slow to react. It was Ecuador’s first goal from open play in a competitive match in over a year.

The momentum shifted after halftime. Germany thought they had won a penalty when Kai Havertz went down, but VAR correctly overturned it for a foul by Sané in the build-up.

Energized by the reprieve, Ecuador grew stronger. Coach Beccacece’s double substitution — bringing on Kevin Rodríguez and Ángelo Preciado for Enner Valencia and Alan Franco — proved decisive. After a near miss, Rodríguez flicked on a corner, and Plata stabbed the ball home at the far post with Neuer again caught flat-footed.

“I think it has to be defended differently,” Nagelsmann said when defending his goalkeeper. “It’s very difficult for the keeper to make a difference there.”

Beccacece’s reaction was pure relief. Born in Argentina, the 45-year-old has faced criticism and boos from some Ecuador fans during the tournament, despite the team arriving on a long unbeaten run.

“Today we’ve broken the record for the third time — three full stadiums packed with Ecuadorians,” Beccacece said. “We need to enjoy this journey. Sometimes you have to struggle, but the most important thing is to stay united.

“I apologize to those who still haven’t connected with me. I’m incredibly grateful to the people of Ecuador who have traveled from all over the country to support the team. I’ve always found them to be kind, hard-working, and grateful. That’s what I’m trying to show.

“As long as we’re still alive in the tournament, we have to chase the light. If we don’t reach it, we’ll deal with the sorrow later. But right now, an entire country is celebrating. Let them enjoy it, have a beer, and celebrate with their families.”

Nagelsmann later lamented Germany’s wastefulness on the counterattack and pointed to the dry, worn MetLife pitch as a factor affecting ball movement.

The final whistle triggered wild celebrations tempered by relief. Beccacece returned to his family, players collapsed onto the turf in exhaustion and joy, and one photographer dropped to his knees with arms raised to the sky. Rarely has finishing third in a group felt this sweet.