Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match to secure a place in the World Cup Round of 32, with Gonzalo Plata’s late winner sealing a famous victory despite Germany finishing top of the group.
Germany heavily controlled the first-half tempo by retaining 62% of the ball, leaving them with better chances. Ecuador surrendered total control of the ball, managing a 38% possession while spending the half pinned back. They choked the spaces by parking a deep defensive block in their own territory. Their entire tactical plan relied on winning the ball back deep and immediately hitting Germany with direct counter-attacks before their opponents could track back.
Germany struck early as Leroy Sané scored a clinical goal into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after just 1 minute and 49 seconds. The Germans worked the ball rapidly into the attacking third, located Sané at the edge of the penalty area. Sané took a quick touch and cleanly slotted a low, striking shot past the Ecuadorian goalkeeper.
Ecuador responded with an equalizer in the 9th minute through Nilson Angulo, who scored a stunning, long-range goal into the back of the net from completely unmarked outside the box. He was assisted by a precise pass from Pedro Vite following a swift midfield transition, cleanly beating German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany thought they had the chance to get the lead not long after the second-half restarted, when Kai Havertz went down inside the penalty area under a challenge, prompting center referee to immediately point to the penalty spot, the decision was completely overturned by VAR after a closer review.
Gonzalo Plata scored a 77th-minute winner to give Ecuador the lead over Germany. After receiving an assist from Kevin RodrĂguez inside the box, Plata fired a left-footed shot into the top-right corner, far past Manuel Neuer.
With this result, Ecuador advances to the Round of 32 as a third-place finisher, while Germany still finishes first in Group E, also advancing to the round of 32.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
