Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to reach World Cup last 32
Ecuador's midfielder #19 Gonzalo Plata and teammate midfielder #05 Jordy Alcivar celebrate 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. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP)
Ecuador squeezed into the last 32 of the World Cup with an upset 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday as Ivory Coast ended Curacao’s fairytale campaign to seal their passage to the knockout rounds.
A nailbiting Group E game between Ecuador and group winners Germany at the MetLife Stadium was settled 13 minutes from time, when Gonzalo Plata jabbed home the winning goal from close-range for the South Americans.
Plata’s winner came after Ecuador had recovered after Germany took the lead from a controversial Leroy Sane goal after two minutes before equalising through Nilson Angulo.
The result means Ecuador finished Group E with four points, guaranteeing them a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Germany had already been assured of winning the group after wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao.
Ivory Coast meanwhile sealed the runners-up spot in Group E after eliminating Curacao in Philadelphia, Nicolas Pepe scoring twice in a 2-0 victory. It is the first time that the west African nation have reached the knockout stage.
Curacao, the smallest country by population ever to play in the World Cup, depart the tournament with one point to finish bottom of the group.
The Group E games kicked off another packed slate of six games across the tournament on Thursday which will give more clarity to the shape of the knockout rounds.
The United States have already clinched top spot in Group D and will be looking to end their first round campaign with a victory over already-eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rest a number of players saying it was “unnecessary to take a risk” with Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun, who are facing suspension if they collect another yellow card.
The US have not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 2002, but a strong start has raised hopes they could go on a deep run on home turf.
Australia and Paraguay square off in a battle for second place in Santa Clara. A draw would favour the Socceroos thanks to their better goal difference but would likely be enough to send Paraguay through too.
