Ecuador secured a spot in the World Cup last 32 after a 2-1 comeback win against Germany. Gonzalo Plata scored the winning goal, sending the South American team through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Germany finished top of Group E. Ivory Coast came in second.
Match Highlights
Germany took an early lead through Leroy Sane less than two minutes into the game. However, the goal was controversial. Ecuador argued that a foul on Pedro Vite by Aleksandar Pavlovic should have been called earlier in the play.
Ecuador quickly responded. Nilson Angulo, a winger from Sunderland, scored with a strong shot seven minutes later. This leveled the score.
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Start Your News DetoxThirteen minutes from time, Plata scored the decisive goal from close range. This sparked huge celebrations among the Ecuadorian fans in New Jersey.
Germany will now play their last-32 match in Foxborough on Monday. This will be their first World Cup knockout game since winning the trophy in 2014.
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany's coach, made two changes due to injuries. Antonio Rudiger replaced Nico Schlotterbeck, who was out with an ankle injury. David Raum stepped in for Nathaniel Brown at left-back.
Germany had already secured the top spot in their group. Ecuador, however, was fighting to stay in the tournament after earning only one point in their first two games.
VAR played a role in the second half. Kai Havertz thought he had won a penalty, but VAR overturned the decision. It found a foul by Sane on Vite in the build-up.
Nagelsmann brought on Deniz Undav, a super-sub with three goals in the tournament. But Ecuador pushed hard for a winner.
Enner Valencia's powerful shot was saved by Manuel Neuer. Later, a mix-up between Neuer and Jonathan Tah almost allowed Kevin Rodriguez to score. Plata then shot wide from a cross by Moises Caicedo.
Sane missed a clear chance to put Germany back in front. He shot weakly at Hernan Galindez. Ecuador capitalized on this miss.
Rodriguez flicked on a corner, and Plata tapped it in past Neuer. This goal ended Germany's 11-match winning streak. It also secured Ecuador's place in the knockout stage for only the second time. Fans in the stands celebrated with tears of joy.
Ecuador players celebrate after the match [Caean Couto/Reuters]
