The chant of “I think there’s something they don’t like about me,”—yes, we can—echoed from the throngs of 55,000 fans in yellow as Ecuador launched their final group stage match. After a disappointing start to their World Cup journey, spirits were high with the belief that they could achieve an upset against a full-strength Germany. To advance, they had no choice but to secure a win, especially after being held to a draw by Curaçao thanks to the stellar performance of goalkeeper Eloy Room. Gonzalo Plata’s decisive strike in the 77th minute ignited fervent celebrations, ensuring Ecuador’s place in the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams—a significant achievement marking their first progression since 2006.
While Ecuador aimed for victory, Julian Nagelsmann made only necessary adjustments to his lineup, focusing on maintaining a strong starting XI rather than rotating players. As he noted the day before the match, prioritizing a consistent first-choice squad was crucial.
In the early moments of the match, Aleksandar Pavlovic executed a daring high boot to play the ball to Florian Wirtz in the box. Wirtz then set up Leroy Sané, who scored Germany’s opening goal, placing the ball firmly into the bottom corner. Despite lengthy protests regarding Pavlovic’s challenge, they proved fruitless.
However, the yellow-clad fans remained optimistic. Their cheers turned to joy when Ecuador responded with a goal of their own. Nilson Angulo, making his mark in the lineup, found the far corner of the net from outside the box. The defenders responsible for the initial goal, Wirtz and Pavlovic, were caught off guard, allowing Ecuador to equalize.
Whether through Alan Franco on one flank or Angulo on the other, Ecuador effectively exploited Germany’s vulnerabilities, compelling goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make several crucial saves. It took another quarter of an hour for Germany to create a threat again, resulting in a header from Kai Havertz that was easily handled by Hernán Galíndez.
Following a hydration break, Germany regained control but struggled to break through Ecuador’s defense, which featured several Champions League finalists. As halftime approached, the chants of “sí, se puede” grew louder, showcasing Ecuador’s resilience against the four-time champions. However, their counterattacking opportunities were often hampered by poor decisions and timely defensive interventions.
Second Half Drama
The second half nearly mirrored the first when a penalty was awarded to Germany after Joel Ordóñez fouled Havertz. Fortunately for Ecuador, a video review revealed that Sané had committed a foul on Vite earlier in the play, nullifying the penalty.
John Yeboah emerged as a key player for Ecuador, maneuvering through the German midfield multiple times. Although many of his efforts didn’t culminate in clear chances, they helped sustain the team’s high-energy approach against the group leaders.
Germany, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing, with Deniz Undav, their leading scorer, only entering the match at the hour mark. He had expressed satisfaction with his role as a late-game substitute but clearly believed he could make an impact from the start.
Returning from a second hydration break, Ecuador’s confidence surged, having successfully kept Germany at bay. Their best opportunity arose from a miscommunication between Jonathan Tah and Neuer, allowing Kevin Rodríguez to assist Plata, whose shot narrowly missed the top corner.
Plata soon redeemed himself, as Rodríguez again played a pivotal role. After winning a corner from a blocked shot, Rodríguez flicked the ball to Plata, who skillfully directed it past Neuer with the outside of his boot to give Ecuador the lead.
Following their goal, Ecuador maintained their composure and rarely lost momentum. Another opportunity fell to Ángelo Preciado, but Neuer was well-positioned to deny him. Ecuador then returned to a defensive stance, intent on protecting their valuable lead.
Germany’s attempts at creativity came primarily from David Raum’s deliveries from the left, yet Ecuador remained resolute in their defense. As the match neared its conclusion, celebrations began among the yellow-clad supporters, especially as Plata took the ball into the corner during stoppage time.
At full time, head coach Sebastián Beccacece’s exuberance was palpable as he leapt into the stands to embrace his family. Under pressure from fans and media due to a lackluster performance in the tournament, the coach acknowledged before the match, “I think there’s something they don’t like about me.”
It remains to be seen whether this victory over a lackluster German team will restore faith in Beccacece and secure his position. Regardless, Ecuador has revitalized their World Cup campaign.
