Top News

Ecuador forward Gonzalo Plata said his team's dramatic journey to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage made the achievement even more meaningful after a memorable 2-1 comeback victory over Germany.

Plata scored the winning goal in the 77th minute as Ecuador secured a place in the last 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams. The victory came after a difficult start to the group stage, with Ecuador collecting just one point from their opening two matches, including a goalless draw against Curaçao.

The South American side fell behind early when Leroy Sané gave Germany the lead in the second minute following a controversial build-up. Ecuador quickly responded through Nilson Angulo before Plata completed the comeback with a close-range finish from a corner.

Reflecting on the qualification, Plata said the team had endured difficult moments but never lost belief. He added that although Ecuador had hoped to qualify earlier, overcoming adversity made the achievement even more rewarding.

The Flamengo forward also praised Ecuador's supporters, saying they created a home-like atmosphere throughout the tournament and inspired the players to keep fighting until the final whistle.

Head coach Sebastián Beccacece welcomed the historic victory after facing criticism during the early stages of the competition. He said the team's goal had always been to build confidence and prove Ecuador could compete with any nation without feeling inferior or superior.

The win marked Ecuador's first-ever victory over Germany and sent the team into the World Cup knockout stage for only the second time in its history, the first since reaching the Round of 16 in 2006.