Ecuador edge Germany 2-1 to squeeze into World Cup last 32

Ecuador edge Germany 2-1 to squeeze into World Cup last 32Germany finish top of Group E, with Ivory Coast second and Ecuador will have a chance of qualifying on third place.Ecuador have kept their World Cup campaign alive as Gonzalo Plata’s winner completed a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany to send the South American nation through to the last 32.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.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Qatar’s Madibo banned for 5 games after breaking leg of Canada’s Konelist 2 of 4Vinicius nets twice and Neymar returns as Brazil ease by Scotlandlist 3 of 4Morocco come back after historic Haiti goals to reach World Cup last 32list 4 of 4South Africa stun South Korea to reach World Cup knockouts for the first timeend of listPlata then prodded home from close range 13 minutes from time, prompting wild celebrations on Thursday among a largely Ecuadorian crowd in New Jersey as the South Americans ensured they would advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.Germany will travel to Foxborough for their last-32 tie against another third-placed finisher on Monday, in their first World Cup knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014.Julian Nagelsmann made two injury-enforced changes, with Antonio Rudiger replacing Nico Schlotterbeck after the Borussia Dortmund defender was ruled out of the World Cup with ankle ligament damage.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 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.Ecuadorian fans display a giant national flag after winning the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Ecuador and Germany at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 25, 2026 [Charly Triballeau/AFP]Sane swept in a first-time shot from Florian Wirtz’s lay-off in the area, but Ecuador were incensed that a foul was not given earlier in the move, when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite in the head with a high boot.