Ecuador in knockout with historic win over Germany

Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match on Friday, helping them avoid elimination from the World Cup and advance to the knockout stages.

Ecuador needed a win or a miracle to book their place in the knockout stages. But the South American team suffered a major setback early in the match. Germany’s Leroy Sane, who had already secured the knockout, scored in the second minute. This was Sane’s first goal in 15 appearances in a major international tournament.

Ecuador, who had failed to score in 39 previous attempts at the tournament, finally found the net with their 40th shot. Nilson Angulo’s beautifully curled shot eluded Manuel Neuer and sent the yellow-shirted Ecuador fans in the gallery into a frenzy of joy.

Gonzalo Plata scored the winning goal with 13 minutes left in the match. Ecuador fans erupted in cheers as Plata scored in a packed stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Germany, who had already secured a knockout spot as group winners, finished top of the table with six points. Ivory Coast also had six points after beating Curacao 2-0 in the other match, but Germany was ahead on goal difference. Ecuador advanced to the next round as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Germany entered the game looking for three consecutive wins in the group stage and a 12th consecutive win overall. But their defensive weaknesses were once again exposed, as they conceded goals in all three of their group stage matches.

Germany showed an attacking spirit early in the match. In the second minute, Sane scored with a left-footed shot from inside the box after receiving a pass from Florian Wirtz from a quick throw-in.

Ecuador’s players complained that Aleksandar Pavlović’s raised foot had hit Pedro Vit’s head at the start of the attack, but referee Tori Penso overruled the objection and allowed the goal.

Ecuador, under pressure after a loss to Ivory Coast and a draw with Curacao, responded quickly. In the 9th minute, Angulo’s shot from the edge of the box went into the net, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer couldn’t move fast enough to stop it.

Another controversy arose early in the second half. Kai Havertz was fouled by Joel Ordonez as he entered the box after receiving a pass from Felix Namacher, which led to referee Penso awarding a penalty to Germany.

However, after looking at VAR, the referee overturned the decision because a German footballer had committed a foul at the beginning of the attack.

Neither team was able to create any clear-cut chances after that. Finally, the big moment came in the 78th minute. Plata was the quickest to react after substitute Kevin Rodriguez headed in a corner. He beat Noir and sent the ball into the net, causing the entire stadium to erupt in cheers.