Ecuador secured its place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2006, defeating Germany 2-1 in a match held in East Rutherford, N.J. The decisive goal came in the 77th minute from Gonzalo Plata, marking a significant moment for the team and its coach, Sebastián Beccacece.
Plata, a 25-year-old winger, scored his ninth international goal by poking the ball past Germany’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. This goal completed a comeback victory for Ecuador, which had been trailing earlier in the match. Plata expressed the team’s relief and renewed determination, stating, “Life is different now. We suffered a lot.”
Germany initially took the lead in the second minute with a goal from Leroy Sané. The play began after Aleksandar Pavlović passed to Florian Wirtz, who then centred the ball to Sané, allowing him to score past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. However, Ecuador quickly responded.
Nilson Angulo equalized for Ecuador in the ninth minute, scoring the team’s first goal of the tournament. This followed a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast and a 0-0 draw with Curaçao. Angulo’s goal came after Felix Nmecha lost possession in midfield to Pedro Vite, who then passed to Angulo, allowing him to beat Neuer from outside the penalty area.
The match saw some contentious moments, including a penalty kick awarded to Germany early in the second half after Joel Ordóñez fouled Kai Havertz. However, a video review overturned the decision, ruling that Sané had fouled Vite first. The tension built as the clock wound down, leading to Plata’s late winner.
Plata’s goal was set up by Kevin Rodríguez, who headed Vite’s corner kick towards the net. Neuer, the 40-year-old German goalkeeper, was reportedly about to grasp the ball when Plata intervened, redirecting it into the net with his left foot. This goal secured Ecuador’s advancement.
Coach Beccacece’s Emotional Reaction
Following the final whistle, Ecuador’s coach, Sebastián Beccacece, sprinted towards the stands to embrace his wife, Patricia Persson, and other loved ones. The 45-year-old Argentine coach, who has led Ecuador for two years, had faced criticism earlier in the tournament for the team’s performance. His emotional reaction highlighted the pressure he had been under.
Beccacece described the victory as a release, emphasizing the importance of balancing the pain of defeat with the satisfaction of victory. He noted that while the win would not change his life, it was a moment for everyone to indulge in joy. He expressed his love for Ecuador and his players, stating that their style of play has made the country fall in love with them as a team.
He also spoke about the significance of family and community, mentioning his late father and envisioning 19 million Ecuadorians celebrating the historical victory together. Beccacece had substituted Rodríguez into the game in the 64th minute, and Rodríguez provided the assist for the winning goal in the 77th minute, a decision that proved crucial.
Beccacece called the win against Germany a tipping point but stated he was not satisfied with merely advancing. He set higher expectations for the team, expressing a desire for Ecuador to reach the quarterfinals, a stage the team has never achieved. He believes the team and the people of Ecuador deserve such an accomplishment.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
Ecuador finished third in Group E with four points, securing its second-ever advancement past the group stage. The team has lost only one of its last 22 games. Ecuador is now headed to a possible matchup with Mexico on Tuesday in Mexico City.
Germany, a four-time champion, had already secured advancement by winning its first two games. The team’s winning streak was halted at 11 games, one shy of a team record set in 1979-80. Germany will play its Round of 32 game on Monday at Foxborough, Massachusetts, likely against Paraguay, Australia, or Sweden.
Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich commented on the match, stating, “The difference was today that the opponent wanted to win more than us, and you could really feel it, especially in the second half.” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasized the importance of a strong start in their upcoming game. Ecuador had prepared to return to its training camp in Columbus, Ohio, before the win.
A crowd of 80,663 attended the match at MetLife Stadium, with many supporters in Ecuador’s yellow colours. FIFA reported that this game contributed to a record attendance of 3,587,539 across 56 games of the expanded World Cup, surpassing the 52 matches in the 1994 tournament in the U.S. Rodríguez noted that the team felt at home in all the stadiums.
Ecuador is currently uncertain about its next opponent or the exact location of its upcoming match, making travel plans for fans still pending. Plata humorously suggested that the team must have brought plenty of clothes in their luggage in anticipation of advancing.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
