Ecuador produced a stunning comeback to defeat Germany and book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, securing a famous victory despite an early setback in the final Group E fixture.

With Germany already guaranteed top spot in the group, the pressure was firmly on Ecuador, who needed nothing less than three points to keep their World Cup dream alive. The South Americans rose to the challenge in dramatic fashion, earning one of the most memorable results in the nation's football history.

Germany made the perfect start, taking the lead after just two minutes. However, the goal quickly sparked controversy. The move began with what many pundits believed was a dangerous high boot from Aleksandar Pavlovic before Florian Wirtz delivered a precise pass for Leroy Sane, who calmly finished into the bottom corner. Despite lengthy VAR checks, the goal was allowed to stand.

Ecuador responded almost immediately. Just seven minutes later, Nilson Angulo collected the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a superb long-range strike that flew into the far corner, leaving the German goalkeeper with no chance.

The second half brought another major VAR moment. Early after the restart, referee Ismail Elfath initially awarded Germany a penalty after Joel Ordonez was judged to have fouled Kai Havertz. But after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, the decision was overturned because Leroy Sane had committed a foul earlier in the attacking move.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Ecuador completed the turnaround. Following a dangerous corner, Rodriguez flicked the ball across goal, where Gonzalo Plata reacted quicker than Manuel Neuer to bundle the ball into the net and send the Ecuadorian supporters into celebration.

The decisive goal not only sealed Ecuador's first-ever victory over Germany, but also secured a historic place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

World Cup 2026

Ecuador - Germany 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Sane L., 2 (0:1); Angulo, 9 (1:1); Plata, 77 (2:1)

Ecuador: Galíndez; Hincapie (Estupiñán, 71); Ordonez J.; Pacho; Yeboah J. (Torres Fe., 85); Franco A. (Preciado An., 64); Caicedo M.; Vite; Valencia En. (Rodríguez K., 64); Plata; Angulo (Caicedo J., 85)
Substitution: Preciado An. (from 64); Rodríguez K. (from 64); Estupiñán (from 71); Torres Fe. (from 85); Caicedo J. (from 85)
Bench: Ramírez M.; Valle; Medina Y.; Porozo; Alcívar; Castillo D.; Minda; Valencia A.; Paez; Arevalo
Yellow Cards: Hincapie 43; Franco A. 50; Plata 89

Germany: Neuer; Rudiger; Tah J.; Pavlovic Al. (Stiller, 46); Kimmich (Thiaw, 60); Havertz (Undav, 60); Wirtz (Groß, 73); Sane L.; Raum D.; Nmecha F. (Beier M., 64); Musiala
Substitution: Stiller (from 46); Thiaw (from 60); Undav (from 60); Beier M. (from 64); Groß (from 73)
Bench: Baumann; Nübel; Anton; Ouedraogo; Goretzka; Leweling; Amiri N.; Woltemade
Yellow Cards: Pavlovic Al. 44