An increasingly desperate Ecuador has stunned Germany 2-1 to drag their World Cup campaign out of the flames and qualify for a place in the last 32.

Germany had already qualified for the knockouts of the 2026 World Cup, but their performance was still disappointing in a 2-1 defeat.

Germany, despite defeat, still top the group thanks to their superior goal difference over Côte d’Ivoire, who also finished with six points.

Gonzalo Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute, and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by rallying for a 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday. Germany, which clinched first place in Group E with victories in its first two games, went ahead…

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ecuador came from behind to produce one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 World Cup, stunning Germany 2-1 in New Jersey. The comeback secured Sebastián Beccacece's side a place in the knockout stages as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Gonzalo Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute, and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by rallying for a 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday.