With top spot already secured, Germany had little to play for except momentum at the New York New Jersey Stadium. It seemed there was plenty of inspiration just two minutes after the start of the game when Leroy Sané completed the first strike.
Germany were lucky to score the goal, however, when Alexander Pavlovich hit Pedro Witte in the head with a high foot. American referee Tory Penso did not give a foul and VAR did not intervene, leaving Ecuador in disbelief.
Needing a win to give themselves a chance of reaching the knockout rounds, Ecuador rallied quickly.
Just seven minutes later, Nilsson Angulo took advantage of a ball that had fallen into his path after Felix Nmecha was unable to control it in midfield. The winger stepped forward and passed the ball to Manuel Neuer, who had no chance. A chant of “Ecuador, Ecuador, Ecuador” came from the sea of yellow shirts in the stadium.
Collectively and individually, Germany looked to be short of their best for long periods of the game as the lack of results seemed to be affecting the players.
Ecuador completed the second half
Moments into the second half, Germany had a penalty taken away by VAR after a foul was detected in the build-up against Ecuador.
With Ecuador becoming more desperate, Germany hoped that several substitutions would deliver results, as they did in their second group game against Ivory Coast in Toronto. Deniz Undaw came on, while Angelo Stiller, Malik Thiaw and Maxi Bayer all made their World Cup debuts.
Ecuador were looking for a winner which they desperately needed. And he finally got it, making his fans jump with joy. Witte’s corner was headed goalwards at the near post and Gonzalo Plata nipped in to put the ball into the goal just before it reached Manuel Neuer’s hands.
What happened next was a thrilling finale, as Germany tried to raise their game while Ecuador tried to hold on. In the end, the yellow team did just that, performing safely The win they needed to qualify for the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams. For Germany, despite nothing at stake, the defeat was a humbling reminder of the team’s limitations.
Germany’s round of 32 game takes place June 29 in Boston. Their opponent will be decided in the coming days after the other group-stage games conclude, with Paraguay or Australia currently looking the most likely.
Edited by: Matt Pearson