Ecuador joined Germany in the World Cup knockout stages in dramatic fashion, after coming from behind to beat the Group E winners 2-1.

Gonzalo Plata scored a 78th-minute winner at New York New Jersey Stadium – where Nilson Angulo cancelled out Leroy Sane's opener inside the opening 10 minutes – to snatch qualification as one of the best third-placed teams. 

Ecuador needed to win to stand any chance of progressing, while relying on a favour from Ivory Coast, who delivered just that by beating Curacao 2-0.

However, they fell behind inside just two minutes. 

Germany, who were fortunate not to be penalised for Aleksandar Pavlovic's high-footed challenge on Pedro Vite, took advantage of their reprieve, with Florian Wirtz teeing up Sane to sweep past Hernan Galindez.

Yet Ecuador got back on level terms just seven minutes later, breaking their duck after 242 minutes without a World Cup goal, as Angulo curled through Pavlovic's legs and beyond Manuel Neuer from 20 yards out.

Nagelsmann's side continued to provide the greater attacking threat, though. Kai Havertz headed straight at the goalkeeper from a David Raum cross, while Joel Ordonez made a superb block to deny Jamal Musiala.

Havertz thought he had earned Germany a penalty in the opening minute of the second half. However, the decision was reversed following a VAR review, with Sane adjudged to have fouled Vite in the lead-up to the incident.

Enner Valencia, on his record-breaking appearance at the World Cup for Ecuador, tested Neuer with a fierce long-range drive at the other end, before he made way for Kevin Rodriguez in the 64th minute.

The substitute played a crucial role as Ecuador completed the turnaround 12 minutes from time, flicking on a corner towards Plata, who beat Neuer to the ball and poked it into the roof of the net.

Deniz Undav hit the side-netting as Germany pushed for an equaliser, but Sebastian Beccacece's side held out to book their place in the last 32, with England a likely opponent, according to the Opta supercomputer.

Beccacece's side bounce back from the brink

Germany, who had top spot in Group E secured already, made a quick start in their quest to win all three World Cup group games for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2006. They were also aiming to win a 12th straight match, which would have equalled their national record.

Sane, in his 15th major tournament appearance for his country, finally got his first such goal with a neat finish after just 109 seconds to get Germany off to an ideal start.

However, Germany's recent inability to keep a clean sheet at the finals was always going to encourage Ecuador and, with their 40th attempt of the competition, they grabbed their first goal of this edition.

Angulo's well-taken strike was well beyond the reach of Neuer, on the day the goalkeeper matched Lothar Matthaus and Miroslav Klose for the joint-most World Cup starts by a German player (22).

Germany have now equalled their longest run of World Cup games without registering a shutout (nine), and their defence will need to improve if they are to really threaten the big favourites.

Beccacece's decision to take off Valencia was met with a mixed reaction, but it was justified just 14 minutes later, with Rodriguez glancing on a corner, before Plata applied the finishing touch, as Ecuador came from behind to win a World Cup match for the first time since 2014.

Upsetting the odds is something Ecuador have grown accustomed to. This is the side that finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying, despite starting the campaign in September 2023 with a three-point deduction.

Fast-forward nearly three years, though, and they are through to the World Cup knockout stages for only the second time, 20 years after their only previous venture beyond the groups.