Guwahati: Ecuador produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup group stage, coming from behind to beat four-time champions Germany 2-1 and secure a place in the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams on Thursday.
Germany, already assured of top spot in Group E, took the lead just 109 seconds into the match when Leroy Sané finished first time after being played through by Florian Wirtz. Ecuador appealed for the goal to be ruled out, claiming Aleksandar Pavlovi? had committed a high-foot challenge on Pedro Vite in the build-up, but the referee allowed the strike to stand.
Ecuador responded within seven minutes. Nilson Angulo capitalised on a misplaced pass by Felix Nmecha before firing a low shot beyond Manuel Neuer to level the scores, registering his side’s first goal of the tournament.
Germany thought they had won a penalty early in the second half after Kai Havertz went down in the box, but referee Tori Penso overturned the decision following a VAR review, which showed Sané had fouled Pedro Vite in the build-up.
The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Gonzalo Plata turned home from close range after a flick-on from a corner, completing Ecuador’s comeback and sparking jubilant celebrations among the South American supporters.
Germany pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but Ecuador defended resolutely to seal only the second World Cup knockout-stage qualification in the country’s history.
The defeat was Germany’s first of the tournament after victories over Curaçao and Côte d’Ivoire, though Julian Nagelsmann’s side had already secured qualification as Group E winners.
For Ecuador, the victory completed a remarkable turnaround after opening the tournament with a defeat to Côte d’Ivoire and a goalless draw against Curaçao. Sebastián Beccacece’s side progressed to the Round of 32 with four points as one of the competition’s best third-placed teams, keeping its World Cup campaign alive.