Ecuador fight back against Germany to reach the last 32 | OneFootball

Ecuador came from behind to defeat Germany and guarantee their place in the next round as one of the top-ranked third-place teams.

The first half was finely balanced with two goals before the ten-minute mark. Germany took the lead after Aleksandar Pavlovic won a challenge against the defence and passed to Florian Wirtz in the area. The Liverpool midfielder, who had a very active first half, rolled the ball to Leory Sané, who scored with his left foot. Ecuador weren't happy about it, wanting a foul for a high boot to be given in the build-up

Ecuador, who seemed to be on the ropes, found a response with a powerful shot from outside the area by Nilson Angulo. The ball deflected off the defender to stop Manuel Neuer from getting to it.

The game changed from then on; the South Americans grew stronger and managed to be dangerous. The duel continued in the same vein in the second half, and Ecuador, needing the result, began to attack more. Enner Valencia gave Neuer some trouble with a powerful shot from outside the area, which the veteran goalkeeper parried.

The game became open, and Sané wasted a great chance for Germany on the counter-attack. The Ecuadorian response was decisive: after a corner kick into the box, Kevin Rodríguez flicked the ball on at the near post and Gonzalo Plata, with the tip of his boot, sent it into the net.

The si, se puede (yes, we can) chanted by Ecuadorians in New Jersey at the start of the match became a reality with the final whistle. And Ecuador did the impossible to secure their place in the knockout stage of the World Cup. And now they await another tough opponent, yet to be determined...

With four points, La Tri advances among the best third-placed teams, and now awaits their opponent, which for now would be England.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

2':

GOAL Germany: Leroy Sané (Germany) scores!

Leroy Sané scores goal number 1 in the competition (3 matches)

9':

GOAL Ecuador: Nilson Angulo (Ecuador) scores!

Nilson Angulo scores goal number 1 in the competition (3 matches)

77':

GOAL Ecuador: Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) scores!

Gonzalo Plata scores goal number 1 in the competition (3 matches)

90 +7':

The referee Tori Penso whistles for the end of the match

Melhor em campo:

Pedro Vite (ECU) is the oficial Man of the Match