Gonzalo Plata’s late winner seals Ecuador’s 2-1 comeback victory
Ecuador produced a spirited comeback to stun Group E winners Germany 2-1 and book their place in the Round of 32 for the first time since 2006.
Germany struck inside two minutes when Leroy Sané swept home after being picked out by Florian Wirtz, but Ecuador responded almost immediately as Nilson Angulo curled a superb 20-yard effort beyond Manuel Neuer to end his side’s 242-minute World Cup goal drought.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side created the better chances and even saw a penalty overturned by VAR early in the second half, but Ecuador grew into the contest. Substitute Kevin Rodríguez proved the catalyst, flicking on a corner for Gonzalo Plata to poke home the winner in the 78th minute. Germany pressed for a late equaliser, but Ecuador held firm.
