With top spot already secured, Germany had little to play for other than momentum in New York New Jersey Stadium. That seemed to be enough motivation just two minutes into the game, when Leroy Sane finished off the first foray forward.
Germany were fortunate that the goal stood though, given Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite in the head with a high foot. American referee Tori Penso did not give a foul and VAR did not intervene, leaving Ecuador in disbelief.
Needing a win to give themselves any chance of making the knockout rounds, Ecuador quickly rallied.
Just seven minutes later, Nilson Angulo took advantage of a ball that fell his way after Felix Nmecha couldn’t control it in midfield. The winger drove forward and hammered the ball past Manuel Neuer, who had no chance. “Ecuador, Ecuador, Ecuador” came the chant from the sea of yellow shirts in the stadium.
Collectively and individually, Germany looked short of their best for long periods of the game as the lack of consequence appeared to infuse the players.
“We keep inviting the opponent to attack by turning the ball over, which makes them stronger,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said on MagentaTV, adding: “Fortunately, this doesn’t change much. But we can’t afford any more losses. That much is clear. We can’t let in one or two goals every game. We have to minimize the number of turnovers, and then we can beat anyone.”
Ecuador complete second half turn around
Just moments into the second half, Germany had a penalty withdrawn by VAR after a foul against Ecuador was spotted in the build-up.
With Ecuador becoming more desperate, Germany hoped a raft of substitutions would deliver, as they did in Toronto in their second group game aginst Ivory Coast. Deniz Undav came on, while Angelo Stiller, Malick Thiaw and Maxi Beier all made their World Cup debuts.
Ecuador pushed for a winner they desperately needed. And finally they got it, leaving their fans jumped for joy. Vite’s corner was headed goalwards at the near post and Gonzalo Plata nipped in to poke the ball into the goal just before it landed in Manuel Neuer’s hands.
What followed was a wild finale, as Germany tried to raise their game while Ecuador tried to hold on. In the end, the team in yellow did just that, securing the win they needed to qualify for the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. Ivory Coast, who beat Curacao 2-0 in the group’s other game are also through. For Germany, even with nothing on the line, the loss was a humbling reminder of the team’s limitations.
Germany’s Round of 32 game will take place in Boston on June 29. Their opponent will be decided in the coming days once the other group-stage games are finished, with Paraguay or Australia currently looking the most likely.
Edited by: Matt Pearson
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