Ecuador booked its place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage after defeating Germany 2-1 in a dramatic Group E encounter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Germany made the perfect start when Leroy Sané opened the scoring in just the second minute following a well-worked attacking move. However, Ecuador responded quickly as Nilson Angulo equalized in the ninth minute with the country's first goal of the tournament after capitalizing on a midfield mistake.

The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Gonzalo Plata poked home from close range after Kevin Rodríguez flicked on a corner kick, completing Ecuador's impressive comeback and sealing qualification for the Round of 32.

The victory marks Ecuador's first appearance in the World Cup knockout stage since 2006 and extends the team's excellent recent form, having lost only one of its last 22 international matches. Ecuador finished third in Group E with four points and could face Mexico in the next round.

Germany, already qualified after winning its opening two matches, finished as Group E winners despite seeing its 11-match winning streak come to an end. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann urged his players to improve ahead of the knockout stage, where Germany is expected to face Paraguay, Australia, or Sweden.

More than 80,000 fans attended the match, with Ecuador supporters creating a vibrant atmosphere that players described as feeling "like home." FIFA also announced that the expanded 2026 World Cup has surpassed the attendance record set during the 1994 tournament in the United States.