If possible “Yes we can,” 55,000 Ecuadorian fans chanted as their team’s final group match began. Despite the unsuccessful start to the World Cup campaign, there was genuine confidence that defeat by Germany was possible. They had no other choice: Sebastian Beccacece’s team, beaten by Eloy Rome’s heroics in Curacao, had to win to progress.
This time the impressive performance deserved Three famous victory over the fallible team. Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute strike sparked wild and emotional celebrations, securing their place in the round of 16 as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
Although top spot in Group E was secured, Julian Nagelsmann only made changes to his starting XI due to injury. As the coach of the German national team explained on the eve of the match, the presence of the main squad took priority over the distribution of playing time among the squad.
Two minutes later, Alexander Pavlovich shot past Pedro Vite with a bold boot and found Florian Wirtz in the penalty area. The Liverpool striker set up Leroy Sane on the edge of the penalty area and he scored his first goal of the tournament into the bottom corner. Protests about Pavlovich’s struggle for the ball were lengthy, but in vain.
However, the fans in yellow were not afraid. The chants of encouragement soon gave way to jubilation as Ecuador found a response. Sunderland’s Nilsson Angulo, one of two new faces in Beccacece’s squad, found Manuel Neuer’s far corner from the edge of the area. The two Germans who created the first goal were to blame: Wirtz passed the ball to assistant Vita, and Pavlovich let the ball through his legs.
Whether it was Alan Franco on one flank or Angulo on the other, Ecuador clearly sensed their opponents’ weaknesses and relentlessly pushed forward down the flanks, forcing Neuer to work on more than one occasion. It took another 15 minutes for a shaken Germany to threaten again, this time in the form of Kai Havertz’s header straight at Hernan Galindez.
Nilson Angulo leaves after Ecuador hit back minutes after Germany’s opener. Photograph: Dustin Satloff/FIFA/Getty Images
Germany regained control of the match after a hydration break, but Galindez was largely unfazed. Ecuador’s defence, half of which consisted of Champions League finalists, finally found its footing, leaving their opponents by surprise.
As the break approaches, if possible the cheers grew louder as Ecuador went toe-to-toe with the four-time champions. Led by the imposing Moises Caicedo, Three exhibited a level of intensity and ambition that was rarely on display in their first two games. However, despite receiving the ball in midfield on several occasions, their counter-attacks were blunted by poor decision-making and late blocks.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Germany awarded a penalty when Joel Ordoñez beat Havertz. Three they were eventually spared when video replay showed Sane fouling Vita earlier in the game. At the center of the game for Ecuador was John Yeboah, who made his way through the German midfield on several occasions. However, few of the Venezia striker’s initiatives turned into meaningful chances, even if they allowed his teammates to maintain the high-intensity approach that saw them challenge the leaders of the group.
Nagelsmann’s side, meanwhile, threatened little except for a move that led to a penalty. An hour passed before their top scorer, Deniz Undave, took the field. The Stuttgart striker said on the eve of the match that he was “happy to accept” his role as a super sub, but apparently felt he could influence the match from the first whistle.
Player Profile Gonzalo Plata
Ecuador returned from a second hydration break, strengthened in their faith and successfully keeping Germany at bay. Their best chance of the second half up to that point came from a mix-up between Jonathan Thaw and Neuer, which allowed Kevin Rodriguez to grab the ball before Plata found his way into the centre. The Flamengo striker’s shot flew wide of the top corner.
A few minutes later the attacker recovered. Rodriguez was at the center of the action again with a corner which he won after his shot was blocked by Angelo Stiller. The ball fell again to Plata, who pushed it past Neuer with the outside of his boot.
Once Ecuador took the lead, it rarely looked like it had given up momentum. Soon after, another chance fell to Angelo Preciado, who this time was well covered by Neuer. Three eventually retreated to protect their precious leadership.
David Raum’s cross from the left continued to serve as Germany’s main creative threat, but valiant Ecuador remained confident in the closing moments. By the time match-winner Plata curled the ball into the corner before stoppage time, celebrations had spread across the stadium’s sea of yellow.
Kevin Rodriguez and his Ecuadorian teammates savor the moment throughout the match. Photograph: Mike Seegar/Reuters
The most enthusiastic jubilation during full time came from Beccacece, who jumped straight into the stands to celebrate with his family. The head coach faced intense scrutiny from Ecuadorian fans and the media. Three was unable to carry over his 19-match unbeaten streak into the tournament. “I think there’s something they don’t like about me,” the Argentine admitted before the game.
It remains to be seen whether a win over a boring German team will restore faith in the head coach and save his job. Either way, Ecuador fans may change their tune a bit on Thursday night. Yes it was possible: Yes, we could.