Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 in their final Group E game, securing a place in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at the New York/New Jersey stadium.
Germany started explosively, with Leroy Sane finishing left-footed from just inside the area in the second minute, after Florian Wirtz cleverly found his teammate after a quick throw-in.
Ecuador protested that Aleksandar Pavlovic had caught Pedro Vite in the head with a raised foot in the build-up, but referee Tori Penso allowed the goal to stand.
However, Ecuador responded swiftly. Nilson Angulo curled the ball into the net from the edge of the box in the ninth minute, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer slow to react.
The second half began with more controversy when Penso awarded Germany a penalty after Felix Nmecha played in Kai Havertz, who appeared to be tripped by Joel Ordonez.
After a VAR review, however, the referee overturned the decision for a Germany foul in the build-up.
Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata struck in the 78th minute, reacting quickest after substitute Kevin Rodriguez flicked on a corner at the near post and stabbing the ball past Neuer to send the stadium into uproar.
The matched finished 2-1 as Ecuador defended well to see out the game. Ecuador qualified as one of the best eight third-placed teams.
Already assured of qualification as group winners, Germany finished top with six points, ahead of Ivory Coast on goal difference.
Germany had been chasing a third win from three Group E matches and a 12th successive victory, but their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again and they have now conceded in all three group matches.
“We keep inviting the opposition in with turnovers, making them look good in the process,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich told reporters.
“Fortunately, no real harm has been done yet. But it’s clear we can’t afford another defeat. We can’t keep conceding one or two goals every game. We need to minimise our turnover rate; then we can beat anyone.”
Latest World Cup results
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Paraguay 0-0 Australia
Turkey 3-2 USA.
