SOCCER: Ecuador through to round of 32 with stunning comeback win over Germany

A late strike from Gonzalo Plata in the 77th minute lifted Ecuador national football team to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany national football team on Thursday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, securing a place in the Round of 32 in dramatic fashion.

Germany (2-1-0, 6 points) had already clinched Group E entering the final match and were aiming to maintain momentum heading into the knockout stage. Ecuador, meanwhile, faced a simple but high-pressure scenario: win or go home.

Plata delivered the decisive moment late in the match, helping Ecuador finish third in the group with four points (1-1-1), behind Ivory Coast national football team, which also finished on six points after a 2-0 win over Curaçao.

Germany opened the scoring early in controversial fashion when Leroy Sané found the net in the second minute from the center of the box, assisted by Florian Wirtz. The buildup included a challenge involving Aleksandar Pavlović and Ecuador’s Pedro Vite, who was struck in the face by a high boot during the sequence. Ecuador appealed for a foul, but the referee allowed play to continue, and VAR did not overturn the decision.

Ecuador responded quickly. In the ninth minute, Nilson Angulo equalized with a curling strike from outside the box that slipped through the legs of Pavlović after a turnover forced by Vite. It marked Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament, coming on their 40th shot.

The match remained tightly contested into the second half. A potential penalty for Germany was overturned after review, with the referee ruling that Sané had tripped Vite during the buildup rather than a foul on Kai Havertz.

Germany nearly regained control just past the hour mark when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied a powerful attempt from Enner Valencia, keeping the match level.

Ecuador continued to press late, and their persistence paid off in the 77th minute. Substitute Kevin Rodríguez flicked a corner kick into the danger area, where Plata reacted quickest, poking the ball home with his left foot to complete the turnaround.

After withstanding 20 tense minutes of pressure, Ecuador held on to seal their place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2006.

Germany will now await confirmation of their Round of 32 opponent as one of the third-placed qualifiers, with their match scheduled for June 29 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Ecuador, meanwhile, await confirmation of their next opponent, venue, and date as they prepare for their knockout stage return. -Field Level Media/Reuters