Plata Winner Sends Ecuador Through as Best Third-Placed Team

Ecuador stunned Germany with a 2–1 comeback win at New York New Jersey Stadium to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams. Leroy Sané fired Germany ahead after just two minutes, but Nilson Angulo levelled seven minutes later with a curling finish from Pedro Vite's pass, and Gonzalo Plata poked home Kevin Rodríguez's flick-on from a corner in the 77th minute to seal La Tri's first World Cup win since 2014.

Sebastián Beccacece's side needed all three points after drawing their opening two matches and delivered despite Germany's dominance in possession — the four-time winners finished with 61% of the ball, 11 shots and three on target to Ecuador's seven and three. Piero Hincapié, Alan Franco and Plata were booked for Ecuador, while Aleksandar Pavlovic saw yellow for Germany in a contest that ended Germany's 11-match winning run.

Germany still top Group E on six points despite the defeat and will face a third-placed finisher from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the round of 32. Ecuador finish third on four points and could meet England depending on how Group L concludes. Côte d'Ivoire join Germany in the last 32 as Group E runners-up after their win over Curaçao earlier in Philadelphia.