FIFA World Cup 2026: Plata the hero as Ecuador beat Germany to progress

Ecuador have secured their spot in the Round of 32 after they came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E game on Thursday.

With group winners Germany already qualified for the next stage after two wins, the big question for the large sections of the New York/New Jersey Stadium swathed in yellow was whether Ecuador could join them after firing blanks – and taking a single point – against Côte d’Ivoire and Curaçao.

After nine minutes Sebastian Beccacece’s players had the goal they had been craving. The only problem was they were already trailing at that point, having fallen behind to Leroy Sane’s first goal at a major tournament for Germany. From Florian Wirtz’s lay-off, Sane rolled the ball low past the right hand of the diving Hernan Galindez from inside the box. It was Germany’s earliest World Cup goal since 1934.

To Ecuador’s credit, they took just seven minutes to respond as they finally broke their duck at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The source was not Enner Valencia, making a record ninth World Cup appearance for his country.

Rather it was midfielder Nilson Angulo, brought in for his first start here in North America. Pablo Vite picked up a loose ball in Germany’s half and fed Angulo who, finding space to shoot just outside the D, fired through the legs of Aleksandar Pavlovic and beyond the dive of Manuel Neuer.

The second half began with a Germany penalty award that referee Tori Penso overturned after a VAR review owing to an earlier foul by Sane on Vite. It took until the last quarter, though, for the real drama to arrive.

After a mix-up between Neuer and Jonathan Tah, Plata turned a Moises Caicedo cross over the bar from close range. Sane then shot at Galindez after racing through at the other end, yet Ecuador would not be denied.

Moments after substitute Kevin Rodriguez had seen his shot deflected over, he flicked on a corner at the near post for Plata to get his foot to the ball ahead of Neuer and steer it into the roof of the net.

The victory has confirmed Ecuador’s place in the knockouts as one of the best eight third-placed teams. Germany, despite defeat, still top the section thanks to their superior goal difference over Côte d’Ivoire, who also finished with six points. (FIFA)