Ecuador Stuns Germany to Reach Knockouts

An increasingly desperate Ecuador mounted a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Germany 2-1 at MetLife Stadium, snatching a last-32 berth from the flames of elimination.

Midway through the second half, with their tournament hopes dwindling, Ecuador scored from a corner and then added a winner to complete the shock result over the five-time champions.

German coach Julian Nagelsmann was scathing in his assessment, calling his team’s performance ‘tactical suicide,’ though Germany had already secured qualification.

The victory eliminated South Korea from contention and set off wild celebrations across Ecuador for what coach Sebastian Beccacece called the country’s biggest World Cup result ever.