The chant of “I think there’s something they don’t like about me,” resonated among the 55,000 Ecuadorian supporters as their national team prepared for the decisive group match against Germany. Initially struggling in their World Cup journey, there was an undeniable hope among fans that they could achieve an upset against a formidable German side. With their previous match resulting in a goalless draw against Curaçao, Sebastián Beccacece’s team needed a victory to advance.
In a thrilling display, La Tri earned a notable win against a misfiring German team. Gonzalo Plata’s goal in the 77th minute ignited jubilant celebrations, confirming Ecuador’s advancement to the knockout stage as one of the top third-placed teams.
Despite securing the top position in Group E, Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann opted for only necessary changes to his lineup due to injuries. He stated before the match that maintaining a consistent first-choice team was more important than rotating players.
Just two minutes into the match, Aleksandar Pavlovic executed a high boot to pass the ball to Florian Wirtz in the box. The Liverpool forward then set up Leroy Sané, who scored the opening goal of the tournament with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner. Protests regarding Pavlovic’s challenge were lengthy but ultimately unsuccessful.
However, the yellow-clad fans remained undaunted. Their encouragement quickly transformed into elation when Ecuador responded. Nilson Angulo, making his debut for Sunderland, struck a remarkable shot from outside the box into Manuel Neuer’s far corner. The two players responsible for Germany’s initial goal were at fault: Wirtz lost possession to the assist-providing Vite, while Pavlovic allowed the ball to slip past him.
Ecuador, exploiting Germany’s weaknesses on the flanks through players like Alan Franco and Angulo, pressed forward with determination, forcing Neuer into multiple saves. It took Germany around 15 minutes to threaten again, with Kai Havertz’s header going directly to Hernán Galíndez.
After the hydration break, Germany attempted to regain control, yet Galíndez remained largely untroubled. Ecuador’s defense, featuring several Champions League finalists, had found its rhythm, leaving their opponents visibly frustrated.
As half-time approached, the chants of “sí se puede” grew louder, with Ecuador matching the four-time champions in intensity. Led by a commanding Moisés Caicedo, La Tri exhibited a level of determination rarely seen in their earlier matches, although their counterattacks were often hindered by poor decisions and timely blocks.
The second half began similarly to the first, with Germany awarded a penalty when Joel Ordóñez fouled Havertz. However, a video review revealed that Sané had fouled Vite earlier, sparing Ecuador from conceding. John Yeboah played a key role for Ecuador, skillfully navigating through Germany’s midfield, but his efforts rarely resulted in clear-cut chances.
Germany struggled to create significant threats, with Deniz Undav finally entering the match at the hour mark. The Stuttgart striker had expressed his willingness to embrace a substitute role but seemed eager to make an early impact.
After the second hydration break, Ecuador’s confidence surged as they kept Germany at bay. Their best chance of the second half arose from a miscommunication between Jonathan Tah and Neuer, allowing Kevin Rodríguez to seize the ball before finding Plata in the center. The Flamengo forward’s shot narrowly missed the top corner.
Plata soon made amends, as Rodríguez flicked on a corner he had earned after his shot was blocked. The ball fell to Plata, who skillfully nudged it past Neuer using the outside of his boot.
Once Ecuador took the lead, they appeared resolute in maintaining their momentum. Shortly after, Ángelo Preciado had a chance well-saved by Neuer, as La Tri adopted a more defensive stance to protect their hard-fought lead.
While David Raum’s crosses from the left continued to represent Germany’s main creative outlet, Ecuador maintained their composure during the closing stages. As Plata took the ball into the corner during stoppage time, celebrations erupted among the sea of yellow in the stadium.
The most exuberant celebrations came from Beccacece, who leaped into the stands to join his family in the festivities. The head coach had faced mounting pressure from fans and media amid La Tri’s struggle to replicate their impressive 19-match unbeaten streak in the tournament. “I think there’s something they don’t like about me,” the Argentinian had remarked before the match.
Whether this victory against a lackluster German side restores confidence in the head coach and secures his position remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Ecuador’s supporters may find renewed optimism as they reflect on this match. Sí, se pudo: yes, we could.
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