FIFA World Cup 2026: Ecuador Fans Dream Again After Famous Victory Over Germany
Ecuador produced one of the shocks of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and secure their place in the knockouts thanks to a late strike from Gonzalo Plata.
With Germany already assured of progression, the spotlight was on Ecuador to deliver in front of a stadium swathed in yellow. Their supporters had endured frustration after failing to score in their opening two matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Curaçao, but this time La Tri rose to the occasion.
Germany struck first, with Leroy Sané scoring his maiden World Cup goal just two minutes in, their earliest strike at the tournament since 1934.
Yet Ecuador responded swiftly. In the ninth minute, midfielder Nilson Angulo, making his first start, fired through Aleksandar Pavlović’s legs and past Manuel Neuer to level the contest.
The second half brought drama, including a Germany penalty overturned by VAR after Sané fouled Pablo Vite in the buildup. Ecuador pressed for a winner, and after substitute Kevin Rodríguez flicked on a corner, Plata pounced in the 77th minute, steering the ball into the roof of the net ahead of Neuer.
The victory confirmed Ecuador’s place in the Round of 32 as one of the best eight third-placed teams. For Germany, defeat did not prevent them from topping Group E on goal difference ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, who also finished with six points.
For Ecuador, this marks only their second-ever progression to the knockout stage, the first coming at Germany 2006.
