Ecuador beat already-qualified Germany to progress, Ivorians through
· Yahoo Sports
Ecuador powered into the World Cup last 32 with a deserved 2-1 win over already-qualified Germany on Thursday, as Ivory Coast secured the second automatic qualification berth in Group E.
The Ivorians reached the knock-out rounds at a men's World Cup for the first time in four attempts after a double from Nicolas Pépé in a 2-0 victory over debutants Curaçao, who bow out in last place.
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Gonzalo Plata grabbed the winner for Ecuador on 77 minutes to guarantee that they would be one of the eight best third-placed teams. Germany, who had assured top spot after matchday two, looked rattled at times in the group finale.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich told ARD after a first loss after 11 wins in a row: "We started relatively well with an early lead and then we lost possession too often. In the second half ... it was a deserved defeat.
"We wanted to win the game. We can't allow ourselves any more defeats, that's for sure."
The third-placed rankings will be confirmed at the end of the stage but Ecuador's four points and a goal difference of zero is enough.
Their hearts may have sunk when they saw Germany's team sheet. Julian Nagelsmann refused to rest his best players, with Deniz Undav on the bench again despite his match-winning double against Ivory Coast.
Injuries to defender Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown meant Antonio Rüdiger and David Raum came into the starting line-up.
Germany flags abounded at the packed home of NFL's New York Giants and Jets, but there is a big Ecuadorean diaspora in the local area and they also made themselves heard.
Leroy Sané received negative press after mixed showings so far in North America, but he confidently netted Germany's opener in the second minute.
US referee Tori Penso, in her second game at this World Cup, decided to allow Aleksandar Pavlović's high foot in the build-up.
Ecuador soon hit back in style when Nilson Angulo let fly through the legs of Pavlović from just outside the area. The South Americans were the better side for much of the contest.
Plata pounced
Germany, in their unusual but popular blue change kit, swapped Pavlović for fellow midfielder Angelo Stiller at the break and made several other changes to hit the side's flow.
Penso awarded a penalty to the Germans but a video review showed a foul by the four-times winners earlier in the move and it was rescinded.
The introduction of Undav on the hour failed to spur Germany on this time and Ecuador went ahead when a corner was flicked on for Plata to pounce in front of Manuel Neuer.
Ecuador's flamboyant coach Sebastián Beccacece admitted on the eve of kick-off that he was fighting for his job following an opening loss to Ivory Coast and goalless draw with Curaçao.
The Argentine has been heavily criticized back in Ecuador and the pressure will now ease after a vibrant display and only their second knock-out round qualification at a men's World Cup. They must wait for their next opponents.
Angulo said: "It is wonderful, so wonderful. We expected it before the World Cup and now it is happening. We are going to fight hard again with real hunger. We trust the coach. It was like a home game for us."
Germany will play a third-placed team from Group A, B, C, D or F in Foxborough on Monday in the last 32.
Ivory Coast face the second-placed team from Group I a day later near Dallas after the Elephants deservedly beat the Caribbean country of Curaçao, the smallest nation ever at a men's World Cup, in Philadelphia.
Curaçao, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, experienced tremors from the earthquake which has rocked nearby Venezuela.
Ecuador's Gonzalo Plata celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup group E soccer match between Ecuador and Germany at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa