Ecuador 2-1 Germany Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Plata's Late Goal Helps La Tri Clinch Victory, Keeps Them Alive

Greetings, we are back with our FIFA World Cup 2026 live blog as Ecuador and Germany face-off in the Group E finale. The action is about to begin, so stay tuned for all the live updates from New York New Jersey Stadium.

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 (Group Stage, Group E)

Date: June 25, 2026

Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM EDT (local time) / 1:30 AM IST (June 26)

Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, USA

Referee: Tori Penso

Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo (United States)

Assistant Referee 2: Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)

Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Joseph Dickerson (United States)

Assistant VAR (AVAR): Ming Fu (United States)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be telecast live on Unite8 Sports network on television. For live streaming, one can catch the action on the Zee5 app and website.

Total Meetings: 2

Germany Wins: 2

Ecuador Wins: 0

Draws: 0

Germany Goals Scored: 7

Ecuador Goals Scored: 2

In the FIFA World Cup 2026 , Group E reaches its dramatic conclusion today, June 26, with the final round of matches determining the path to the Round of 32. Germany has already secured their place in the knockout stage with six points, though they are still looking to cement the top spot in the group. Behind them, Ivory Coast currently holds the second automatic qualification position with three points. Ecuador and Curaçao, both sitting on one point, remain in contention and face a must-win scenario to keep their tournament hopes alive as they look to capitalize on any slip-ups from the leaders.

Hernan Galindez; Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, Joel Ordonez, Alan Franco; Nilson Angulo, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, John Yeboah; Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata

SUBS: Felix Torres, Jordy Alcivar, Pervis Estupinan, Anthony Valencia, Kendry Paez, Kevin Rodriguez, Moises Ramirez, Alan Minda, Jordy Caicedo, Angelo Preciado, Denil Castillo, Gonzalo Valle, Jeremy Arevalo, Jackson Porozo, Yaimar Medina

Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, David Raum; Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha; Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz; Kai Havertz

SUBS: Waldemar Anton, Leon Goretzka, Jamie Leweling, Nick Woltemade, Oliver Baumann, Pascal Gross, Maximilian Beier, Angelo Stiller, Nadiem Amiri, Alexander Nubel, Malick Thiaw, Assan Ouedraogo, Deniz Undav

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group E match between Ecuador and Germany has kicked off at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Germany enters the match having already secured their spot in the Round of 32 after two opening wins. For Ecuador, this is a crucial encounter; they currently sit in third place and need a positive result to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. American referee Tori Penso is officiating the contest, with Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt serving as her assistants.

Germany have struck early against Ecuador in their final Group E match at the New York New Jersey Stadium, taking a 1–0 lead just two minutes into the contest.

Leroy Sané opened the scoring with a clinical left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The goal followed a sharp attacking move initiated by a David Raum throw-in, with Aleksandar Pavlović and Florian Wirtz playing key roles in setting up the finish. Germany, already qualified for the Round of 32, are pressing to maintain their perfect group stage record, while Ecuador remain in search of a result to keep their knockout stage ambitions alive.

Ecuador national football team have struck back quickly in their pivotal Group E clash, leveling the score at 1–1 just nine minutes into the match.

Nilson Angulo have produced a moment of magic, firing a brilliant strike from just outside the German penalty area into the bottom right-hand corner. The equalizer have been set up by Pedro Vite, who have dispossessed Felix Nmecha before picking out Angulo for the clinical finish. The goal serve as a massive boost for Ecuador national football team, who are in need of a positive result today to keep their hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 alive

Germany have looked to respond quickly, as Felix Nmecha have played a slick one-two with Jamal Musiala before firing a strike toward the bottom left-hand corner from range. However, Nmecha's accuracy have been a tad off, and the ball have bobbled a couple of yards wide of the post. Both teams are showing great intensity as they are pushing for the next goal in this opening period.

Germany have been hanging on at the moment, as Ecuador have been all over them and almost have another goal after Alan Franco have delivered a brilliant cross toward the back post. Joshua Kimmich have failed to meet the ball, but Leroy Sané have just about hooked it clear, and Germany have survived the scare.

Germany have continued their stretch of carelessness, as Florian Wirtz have given the ball away in his own half, allowing Nilson Angulo to drive at the German backline. Angulo have looked to release Enner Valencia down the right, but there have been slightly too much on the pass, and Valencia are forced wide before seeing his shot blocked by Jonathan Tah.

It have been a brilliant block by Jackson Porozo Ordonez! Germany have had their first glimpse of goal in a while as Aleksandar Pavlović have played a superb ball into the feet of Florian Wirtz. Wirtz have turned and driven before finding Jamal Musiala in the box, who have looked to fire a fierce left-footed effort towards goal, only to be denied by a superb block from Ordonez. Ecuador have gone on to defend the resulting corner well, and Germany's frustrations have continued.

It is HALF-TIME at the New York New Jersey Stadium, and the score remains locked at 1–1 between Ecuador and Germany.

Germany have opened the scoring through an early Leroy Sané strike, but Ecuador have responded brilliantly with an equalizer from Nilson Angulo. Both teams have shown high intensity throughout the first half, and with Ecuador still pushing for a result to keep their knockout stage dreams alive, the second half promises to be an even more tightly contested affair.

Ivory Coast currently lead Curaçao 1–0 at half-time in their final Group E match at Philadelphia Stadium. Nicolas Pépé provided the breakthrough, finding the back of the net in the 6th minute. Curaçao, seeking a historic result to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, have been resilient but trail as the teams head into the break.

Fans can check the live score of the Curacao vs Ivory Coast match here.

Drama have unfolded at the start of the second half, as Germany have initially been awarded a penalty after Jackson Porozo Ordonez have brought down Kai Havertz inside the area. The chance have stemmed from a lovely ball by Felix Nmecha into Havertz's feet, but the decision have been sent to a VAR review.

After referee Tori Penso have reviewed the pitch-side monitor, she have determined that Leroy Sané have tripped Pedro Vite earlier in the build-up. Consequently, the penalty have been overturned, and Germany have had their opportunity taken away. The match remain tied at 1–1 as both teams have continued to battle.

Germany have continued to exhibit a lackluster performance in the second half, mirroring their struggles from the opening 45 minutes. While this relative lack of intensity have been somewhat understandable given that Germany have already secured their qualification for the knockout stages, it have been far from ideal preparation for their upcoming opponents in the next round.

Manuel Neuer have denied Enner Valencia! Ecuador have recorded their first major threat on the Germany goal in the second half, as John Yeboah have found Valencia just outside the penalty area. Valencia have done brilliantly to steady himself with a touch before firing a looping volley towards goal, but Neuer have risen to the challenge and have managed to palm the ball away.

Ivory Coast have moved into a 2–0 lead against Curaçao, and they now look set to qualify for the knockouts by finishing in second place in Group E. This development have significantly increased the pressure on Ecuador, who have been in desperate need of a second goal in their own match to maximize their chances of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.

Germany have almost shot themselves in the foot! Ecuador have been agonisingly close to a second goal after a horrible mix-up between Jonathan Tah and Manuel Neuer at the back. Neither player have taken control of the situation following Nilson Angulo's through ball, and they have almost laid the ball on a plate for Jeremy Rodriguez, who have not been quite able to race onto the ball and tap it home. Rodriguez have kept the ball in play, however, and have found Moisés Caicedo, who have almost laid the ball on a plate for Gonzalo Plata. Plata have not been able to direct his effort on target, however, and the chance have gone begging.

Germany have now almost found the net themselves! The match have become completely end-to-end. The opportunity have stemmed from Manuel Neuer’s simple hoof forward, which Deniz Undav have directed into the path of Leroy Sané. Sané have suddenly found himself through on goal, but he have made a complete mess of his effort as he have scuffed his shot into the ground, allowing the ball to bobble harmlessly into the hands of Hernán Galindez. What drama!

INCREDIBLE SCENES!! Ecuador have found the crucial goal they so desperately needed! It may have just sealed their place in the knockout stages, as Gonzalo Plata has poked the ball home from a Moisés Caicedo corner. Kevin Rodríguez has done brilliantly to flick the cross on at the near post, allowing Plata to get the vital touch in front of Manuel Neuer to put Ecuador 2–1 up! The German goalkeeper really should have done better, but Ecuador will not care one bit! It is now Ecuador 2–1 Germany!

Another chance has gone begging for Germany as Deniz Undav has been unable to hit the target with his left-footed effort. It was an initially brilliant pass from David Raum into the feet of Pascal Groß, who then laid the ball into the path of Undav, but the angle was too tight and the forward could only find the side-netting. There are still four more minutes for Ecuador to hold on!

Ecuador have pulled off a stunning 2–1 victory against Germany in a dramatic conclusion to Group E. After falling behind to an early Leroy Sané strike, Ecuador responded through Nilson Angulo before Gonzalo Plata netted the decisive goal in the 77th minute to secure the win. The result marks a massive turnaround for the South American side, who entered the final matchday desperate for points. With this win, Ecuador keep their knockout stage dreams alive, potentially advancing as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams. Germany, having already secured their place in the next round as group winners, now look ahead to the Round of 32 despite this rare stumble.