Ecuador 2-1 Germany: Beccacece's Feat at the 2026 World Cup
June 26, 2026 4 min readPrediPick
Ecuador 2-1 Germany: Beccacece's Feat That Sent La Tri to the Round of 32
The 2026 World Cup is already writing unforgettable pages for South American football. On a magical night at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Ecuadorian national team, led by Sebastián Beccacece, pulled off an epic comeback by defeating Germany 2-1, securing their spot in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.
With this result, La Tri reaches four points and a goal difference of zero, surpassing Bosnia (4 points, -1), South Korea (3 points), and Scotland (3 points). Germany, already qualified as Group E leaders, closed the first round with six points but ran into a rival that wrote one of the most memorable feats of the tournament.
A Movie-Like Start: Sané Strikes First, Angulo Responds Instantly
The match began with a blow for Ecuador. Just two minutes in, a lethal combination between Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sané ended with a low, powerful left-footed shot from the German that beat Hernán Galíndez, leaving La Tri against the ropes from the start.
But the Ecuadorian response was immediate and overwhelming. In the 9th minute, Nilson Angulo capitalized on a play built on the right flank to finish with precision and level the score. The forward, who would later be named MVP of the match, showed a composure unusual for his youth.
Far from being intimidated, Ecuador controlled their nerves and began to weave their game. In the 16th minute, the experienced Enner Valencia received a pass back and curled a first-time right-footed shot that tested the legendary Manuel Neuer, who deflected it with a feline stretch. Two minutes later, Galíndez responded with a key intervention by punching away a cross from David Raum aimed at Deniz Undav's head.
Plata and Redemption in the Second Half
The second half maintained the intensity. Ecuador, with 39% possession, knew they had to be effective on every counterattack. The duo of Moisés Caicedo and Pedro Vite began to impose conditions in midfield, while the defense led by William Pacho and Joel Ordóñez contained the German attacks.
Frustration began to set in when Gonzalo Plata missed two clear chances, including a wayward shot from Caicedo that the winger failed to convert. But fate had a chapter of glory in store for the Flamengo player.
In the 77th minute, a corner kick curled to the near post found the right foot of Gonzalo Plata, who deflected the ball into the back of the net. The MetLife Stadium, with over 80,000 spectators, erupted in an ecstasy few thought possible. Ecuador, who had struggled to score against Ivory Coast and Curaçao, got their revenge against the group favorite.
MVP of the Night: Nilson Angulo
The Ecuadorian forward not only scored the equalizer but was a constant headache for the German defense. His mobility, ability to get free, and cool finishing made him the standout player of the match. Moreover, his tactical sacrifice was key for Beccacece to balance the midfield.
Statistical Analysis: Efficiency vs. Possession
The numbers reflect the nature of the match. Germany dominated possession with 61% and completed 582 passes (89% accuracy), but Ecuador was more effective in attack. La Tri registered 8 shots, 3 on target, and 2 goals, while the Germans, with 11 attempts, only managed to convert once.
Ecuador's 3 yellow cards (Hincapié, Franco, and Plata) reflect their defensive intensity, necessary to contain a rival that committed 15 fouls and was caught 3 times offside. Germany, for their part, received only one booking (Pavlović).
The Path to the Round of 32
With this victory, Ecuador secured their place in the next phase as one of the best third-placed teams. Beccacece, who took on the challenge of qualifying the team after Gustavo Alfaro's departure, has achieved an objective that seemed distant when the tournament began. Now, the team in the yellow jersey awaits a rival in a phase where anything can happen.
Match Details
Ecuador (2): Hernán Galíndez; Alan Franco (m.64, Angelo Preciado); Piero Hincapié (m.71, Pervis Estupiñán), Joel Ordóñez, Willian Pacho; Pedro Vite, Moisés Caicedo, John Yeboah (m.85, Félix Torres); Nilson Angulo (m.85, Jordy Caicedo), Gonzalo Plata and Enner Valencia (m.64, Kevin Rodríguez). Coach: Sebastián Beccacece.
Germany (1): Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich (m.60, Malick Thiaw), David Raum; Aleksandar Pavlović (m.46, Angelo Stiller), Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz (m.73, Pascal Gross) Felix Nmecha (m.64, Maximilian Beier); Leroy Sané and Kai Havertz (m.60, Deniz Undav). Coach: Julian Nagelsmann.
Referee: Tori Penso (United States). Booked: Hincapié (m.43), Pavlović (m.44), Alan Franco (m.50), and Plata (m.89).
Incidents: Match of the third round of Group E played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before 80,663 spectators.
If you're passionate about the details of every match, don't miss our prediction simulator to analyze possible knockout stage matchups. And to follow the standings in real time, check out the Group E table and all zones of the tournament.
