Ecuador produced one of the biggest shocks of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, coming from behind to beat an already-qualified Germany 2-1 in their final Group E fixture at the MetLife Stadium on Thursday.
Germany, who heavily rotated their squad after sealing qualification earlier in the week, took the lead inside two minutes through Leroy Sané. Ecuador responded quickly as Nilson Angulo levelled with a stunning long-range effort before Gonzalo Plata capitalised on a Manuel Neuer error in the 77th minute to complete a famous comeback.
The result lifted Ecuador to four points and kept their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams. Germany, meanwhile, still finished top of Group E, courtesy a better head-to-head record against Ivory Coast who finished level on six points.
Germany made the perfect start when Sané fired past Hernán Galíndez in the second minute, with Ecuador’s appeals for a high foot by Aleksandar Pavlovic in the build-up waved away after a brief check.
Ecuador restored parity seven minutes later through Angulo, who unleashed a powerful strike from well outside the box that left Manuel Neuer with no chance.
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Both teams picked up bookings before the interval, with Piero Hincapié cautioned for Ecuador and Aleksandar Pavlović shown yellow for Germany. Pavlović was subsequently replaced by Angelo Stiller at half-time.
Germany thought they had earned a penalty early in the second half, when Felix Nmecha slipped in an excellent through ball for Kai Havertz, who was brougth down inside the box. However, a VAR review led to the decision being overturned due to an earlier foul by Leroy Sane in the build-up.
Julian Nagelsmann introduced Deniz Undav, Malick Thiaw, Maximilian Beier and Pascal Gross as Germany searched for a winner, while Ecuador responded with changes of their own, including the introductions of Kevin Rodríguez, Ángelo Preciado and Pervis Estupiñán.
The decisive moment arrived in the 77th minute when Kevin Rodríguez flicked on a corner and Gonzalo Plata reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to steer the ball past Manuel Neuer from close range.
Ecuador saw out the closing stages despite late German pressure, with Plata receiving a booking in the closing minutes before La Tri secured a famous victory.
Group E Standings
In the group’s other fixture, Nicolas Pépé scored twice as Ivory Coast defeated Curaçao 2-0 in Philadelphia. The victory saw the Elephants finish level on six points with the four-time champions but second in the standings due to their 2-1 loss to Germany earlier in the group, while Curaçao exited the tournament with one point.
Germany finished top of Group E with six points and a +6 goal difference, while Ivory Coast finished second with a goal difference of +2.
Ecuador finished third with four points and a neutral goal difference, leaving them well placed in the race to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Curaçao finished bottom of the group with one point and were eliminated.
What’s Next?
Germany will play one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in the Round of 32 in Boston on June 29.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will face the runners-up of Group I in Arlington on June 30.
Ecuador must now wait for the remaining group-stage fixtures to conclude to discover whether their four-point tally is enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
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