Ecuador 2-1 Germany: FIFA World Cup 2026 Ecuador progressed to the World Cup knockout stages after staging a heroic comeback to win 2-1 against Group E winners Germany.
The South American side fell behind in the second minute as Leroy Sané guided home before Nislon Angulo‘s quick-fire equaliser set the game alight.
Gonzalo Plata inspired bedlam in the stands, when he instinctively rifled the ball into the roof of the net to send Ecuador through to the knockouts for the first time since 2006.
Leroy Sane controversially fired Germany ahead less than two minutes into the Group E clash on Thursday, but Ecuador hit back through a fine strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo.
David Raum came in for Nathaniel Brown at left-back, but Nagelsmann resisted the temptation to start Deniz Undav despite his heroics off the bench against the Ivory Coast when he scored both goals in the 2-1 win.
Germany, with top spot in the group already assured, took the lead in a manner that enraged an Ecuador side fighting to stay in the tournament after picking up just one point in their first two games.