NEW JERSEY (US), June 26 (ANI) — Ecuador produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating four-time champions Germany 2–1 in their final Group E match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium to secure a place in the Round of 32.
Germany, already qualified for the next round, made a blistering start and scored with their first shot on target, with Leroy Sané finishing a pass from Florian Wirtz to give them an early lead. Sané calmly slotted the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez into the bottom-left corner from close range.
Ecuador immediately appealed for a foul in the build-up, claiming Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlović had raised a high boot on Pedro Vite, with replays showing contact with the midfielder’s head. However, the goal stood after review.
The strike, coming in just the 1.49th minute, was the second-fastest in Germany’s World Cup history, according to OptaJoe.
Despite the setback, Ecuador responded strongly and equalised in the ninth minute through Nilson Angulo, who seized on a loose ball in midfield and unleashed a powerful long-range effort past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The match remained level at 1–1 at halftime, with Ecuador growing into the game through aggressive pressing and quick counter-attacks that disrupted Germany’s rhythm.
The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Kevin Rodríguez won an aerial duel from a right-sided corner and headed the ball across goal. Gonzalo Plata reacted quickest to poke home from close range, giving Ecuador a shock lead.
Germany pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Ecuador held firm under sustained pressure. Even deep into stoppage time, the South American side defended resolutely to secure the result after seven minutes of added time.
The victory confirms Ecuador’s progression to the knockout stage, marking only the second time in their history that they have advanced from a World Cup group stage, matching their 2006 achievement. (ANI)
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