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World Cup: Ecuador advance to Round 32 after shock win over Germany
26th June, 2026 07:35 AM
Ecuador has joined the early party of celebrating World Cup nations to advance to the knockout stages of the competition after edging Germany 2-1 on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
The South American nation scored two goals for the first time in this World Cup, with Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute strike delivering the blow to Germany and securing the Ecuadorians’ progression from Group E.
The feat saw the nation become the third-placed team to qualify for the round of 32 after opening their group game with a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast.
Wild celebrations
They battled for a share of the spoils against Curacao in their second group match, leaving them needing nothing short of victory to seal their ticket to the next rounds.
Against the Germans, they needed to fight for the victory after going behind to Leroy Sané’s goal two minutes into the clash in Dallas.
Their response was perfect, with Gonzalo Plata’s strike restoring the level pegging in the encounter.
The match winner sparked wild scenes at the stadium with Sebastián Beccacece’s running to the crowd to celebrate what turned out to be the match winner. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the news of the qualification was met with a welcome note as the country announced a holiday in the nation’s capital.
Several players also joined their family and friends on the stands to celebrate yet another milestone in the small country’s rich football history.
Germany top group
Julian Nagelsmann’s side will, however, only carry the lessons from the clash as they join Moises Caicedo’s captained team and the history-making Ivory Coast among the three teams advancing.
Germany progressed as the group winners with six points, while Emerse Faé’s Elephants finished second.
A brace from the devastating left foot of Nicolas Pepe was sufficient to put the Elephants 2-0 winners over Curacao and advance to the knockout tournament for the first time in the history of the competition.
The Elephants opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador to put themselves in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds. A defeat to Germany in Toronto dented their chances of progression before the team bounced back on Thursday.
