World Cup 2026: Ecuador Edge Germany To Snatch Knockout Spot In Group E Thriller
Ecuador overcame an early Leroy Sane goal and a overturned penalty to beat Germany 2-1. The result takes Ecuador into the 2026 World Cup knockouts while Germany still top Group E.
Angulo and Plata strike as Ecuador knock out germany hopes, advance at 2026 World Cup...
Ecuador punched their ticket to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over Germany. The victory made them one of the best third-place finishers and snapped a nine-game winless streak against European teams.
La Tri went into the game needing a result to stay alive. They faced a Germany side that had already booked their spot in the knockout rounds.
Facing Julian Nagelsmann’s team was always going to be tough, and Germany struck early. They took the lead just two minutes in under contentious circumstances.
Pavlovic and Florian Wirtz linked up inside the box, then Wirtz laid it off for Leroy Sane. Sane finished first-time into the bottom corner. But Ecuador had every right to complain - Pavlovic had caught Pedro Vite with a high boot moments earlier in the build-up.
After Ecuador’s shaky start to the tournament, a comeback looked unlikely. But Nilson Angulo didn’t get the memo. He pressed a hesitant German backline, stole possession, and fired a brilliant shot past Manuel Neuer.
The goal meant Ecuador wouldn’t join the unwanted list of South American teams to exit a World Cup without scoring. It also made Angulo the fourth Sunderland player to net at this tournament - only PSG have more with six.
Controversy hit again less than a minute after the break. Referee Mary Victoria Penso pointed to the spot after Joel Ordonez caught Kai Havertz with a clumsy challenge. But VAR stepped in and overturned it, ruling that Sane had fouled Pedro Vite earlier in the move.
Ecuador had to push for a winner to advance. Enner Valencia forced Manuel Neuer into one of his few saves, drilling a long-range shot that the keeper tipped away.
That was Valencia’s last act at the World Cup - his record eighth appearance for La Tri. Kevin Rodriguez came on right after.
From there, Beccacece’s side grew into the game. They pushed for a second and got it in the 77th minute. Rodriguez got a touch on Vite’s corner, flicking it toward Gonzalo Plata. Plata hooked it past Neuer to spark wild celebrations.
In the end, Ecuador dug in and secured a famous three points that keep their World Cup run alive after a rocky start. They finished third in Group E, but it was enough to put them top of the best third-placed teams.
For Germany, the loss stopped them short of a record-tying 12th straight win. Still, they advance as Group E winners.
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