QUITO : Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared a vacation within the nation in celebration of the nationwide soccer crew’s qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage after they produced one of many largest upsets by defeating four-time champions Germany 2-1 of their remaining Group E match on Thursday, June 25 (native time), on the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Ecuador went into the match after a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast of their opening sport and a goalless draw in opposition to Curacao of their second fixture. Regardless of beginning the conflict in opposition to already-qualified Germany as clear underdogs, they produced a powerful efficiency to safe a 2-0 victory.
After Ecuador’s victory, President Daniel Noboa thanked the gamers and coach Sebastian Beccacece for overcoming criticism and troublesome moments to carry satisfaction and pleasure to the nation, and introduced a nationwide vacation (on Friday) in celebration of their achievement.
“Due to the gamers and the coach who, regardless of the criticism, the insults, and the robust instances they went by way of, managed to bounce again and convey this immense pleasure to the complete nation. Tomorrow, vacation! Lengthy reside Ecuador,” he mentioned within the X publish.
Coming to the match, the already-qualified Germany made a blistering begin, scoring with their first shot heading in the right direction to take an early lead, with Sane ending off a cross from Florian Wirtz. Positioned centrally contained in the field, Sane calmly slotted the ball previous diving Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, inserting his effort into the bottom-left nook after assembly the supply from the left.
Ecuador instantly appealed for a foul within the build-up, arguing that Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic had raised a excessive boot on Pedro Vite, with replays indicating contact with the Ecuadorian midfielder’s head earlier than Sane transformed the cross from Wirtz.
Regardless of conceding an early lead, Ecuador refused to be shaken. Barely settled after the setback, they fought their means again into the competition with depth and perception, urgent larger and forcing errors in Germany’s buildup play. The response got here within the ninth minute when Nilson Angulo seized on a free ball in midfield and unleashed a fearless long-range strike that flew past Manuel Neuer to degree the rating.
The rating remained 1-1 within the first half, with Ecuador gaining confidence as they matched Germany’s tempo and broke their rhythm by way of robust urgent and fast counter-attacks.
The decisive second arrived within the 77th minute. From a right-sided nook, Kevin Rodriguez gained a vital aerial duel, flicking the ball throughout aim. Gonzalo Plata reacted instinctively, darting in forward of the defence to poke residence from shut vary. The aim sparked wild celebrations, with Ecuador’s bench and followers erupting in disbelief and pleasure.
From there, the South Individuals had been compelled right into a tense defensive stand. Germany threw every thing ahead, however Ecuador held agency by way of sheer dedication.
Even deep into stoppage time, when Germany swarmed ahead searching for an equaliser, Ecuador refused to interrupt. After seven minutes of added time, Ecuador secured a well-known 2-1 victory–one outlined by a dramatic fightback that carried them into the knockout stage.
It marked solely the second time of their historical past that Ecuador have progressed from a World Cup group stage, matching their achievement from 2006. (ANI)
