Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to reach the last 32 on Thursday.
Gonzalo Plata scored the winner in the 77th minute after Nilson Angulo had cancelled out Leroy Sané’s early opener, according to AFP and 11v11 match data.
Germany went ahead inside two minutes when Sané finished from Florian Wirtz’s lay-off. Ecuador protested because Aleksandar Pavlović had caught Pedro Vite with a high boot earlier in the move.
Ecuador levelled seven minutes later after Felix Nmecha lost possession in his own half. Angulo drove a low shot past Manuel Neuer from 20 yards to bring Ecuador back into the match.
Germany thought they had won a penalty soon after halftime when Joel Ordóñez brought down Kai Havertz. VAR overturned the decision after officials spotted a foul by Sané on Vite in the build-up.
Julian Nagelsmann sent on Deniz Undav after the hour, but Ecuador pressed for the goal they needed. Neuer was saved from Enner Valencia before confusion with Jonathan Tah almost allowed Kevin Rodríguez to score.
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Sané missed a chance to restore Germany’s lead, and Ecuador punished the escape from a late corner. Rodríguez flicked the ball on, and Plata stabbed in from close range.
The result ended Germany’s 11-match winning run. Germany still advanced as Group E winners and will play a third-placed team in Foxborough on Monday.
