Ecuador fight back to beat Germany and progress to last 32 at World Cup

By Jim van Wijk, Press Association

Ecuador produced a rousing fightback to come from behind and beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match in New Jersey to put themselves into the last 32 of the World Cup.

Leroy Sane had fired Germany, who were already qualified as group winners, into an early lead at the MetLife Stadium, before Nilson Angulo soon had Ecuador level after nine minutes.

Germany had a penalty at the start of the second half overturned following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up before Gonzalo Plata stabbed in the winner with 13 minutes left to leave the South Americans on four points and top of the third-place rankings.

Ecuador’s victory further dents Scotland’s hopes of making it through to the last 32. Steve Clarke’s side – who have three points and a minus three goal difference – now drop down into the final eighth spot, but with other groups still to finish.

Germany made a fast start after a goal from Sane inside two minutes, the Galatasaray winger slotting into the bottom corner from Florian Wirtz’s slide-rule pass.

Ecuador, who had lost to the Ivory Coast and then drew 0-0 with Curacao, were complaining of a foul in the build-up for a high boot by Aleksander Pavlovic on Pedro Vite, but American referee Tori Penso was unmoved and she signalled the goal to stand.

The lead, though, did not last long as Sunderland forward Angulo fired in Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute, his shot going past the dive of Manuel Neuer into the far corner.

Germany, who had followed up the 7-1 demolition of minnows Curacao with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, looked for a swift response themselves before the first hydration break, but a header from Arsenal frontman Kai Havertz lacked any real power to trouble Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.

After a low-key finish to the first half, Germany were awarded a penalty soon after the restart when Havertz was brought down by Joel Ordonez.

However, following more Ecuador protests, the referee was advised by VAR to check the pitchside monitor, which showed there had been a foul by Sane on Vite earlier in the build-up to Germany’s attack and so she overturned her on-field decision.

Ecuador continued to look a threat on the break, with John Yeboah breaking clear to find Enner Valencia whose shot from the edge of the area was pushed away by Manuel Neuer.

After the mid-half hydration break, a mix-up in the box between Neuer and defender Jonathan Tah almost gifted Ecuador a goal with 15 minutes left, but Plata could not stab the loose ball home at the far post.

Ecuador committed men forward and eventually were rewarded when Flamengo midfielder Plata stabbed the ball past Neuer as he looked to catch a flick-on from a corner.

Germany substitute Deniz Undav fired into the side-netting late on as Ecuador held out for a memorable victory.

Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece, who had been under pressure following their disappointing first two results, felt the sense of occasion.

“It is not about what it means to me; this is for the people,” he said in quotes on the official FIFA website. “The players have given them this qualification. Let them celebrate and enjoy it.”

Match-winner Plata added: “It is a learning experience for us, and now we will go into the next round even more hungry for glory. This team believes strongly in itself. We have 26 players who will give their all for Ecuador.”

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann thought his side had made things difficult for themselves.

“We have to learn that after a good start and an early lead, we can play with more composure instead of suddenly switching positions too much. There was too much freestyle,” he told German broadcaster ARD.

“We just need to be more patient and stay a bit more structured in our positions, and if on top of that we are giving the ball away too often, at some point it becomes difficult.”