Beat Germany and stay in the World Cup finals: the kind of challenge upon which much greater football nations than Ecuador have foundered in the past, but not this fine South American team of 2026.
The side of Moisés Caicedo , Piero Hincapié and a few more Ecuadorian heroes might yet play England in the next round – potentially in Atlanta on Wednesday – and they look well up for the challenge. Already group winners, the Germans had nothing like as much at stake, but this performance will do nothing to convince those who feel Julian Nagelsmann's team are not serious contenders.
Finally, the jeopardy of the World Cup unfolded in week three of the competition as the stakes were raised considerably for one of South America's strongest qualifiers. Behind to Leroy Sané 's goal within two minutes, level three minutes later – Ecuador rode the wave of this game and seized the moment when it was all up for grabs.
After the final hydration break the challenge was clear for Ecuador: score a goal or go home. They opted for the former and Gonzalo Plata 's neat finish from a corner routine was a lead they robustly defended.
For Scotland, this was a very bad result. Germany won Group E; Ivory Coast took second place with a win over Curaçao ; and in third place Ecuador have four points. That puts them second among the third-place teams seeking to qualify and pushed Scotland down to eighth with their three points and a minus-three goal difference. Of course, results could mean that the Scots could yet rise but more likely is that they will fall.
The chances of Steve Clarke's players staying in the competition beyond the weekend are now 5 per cent , and the cost of those errors against Brazil on Wednesday night is steep indeed. Scotland are just 16 places below Ecuador in the Fifa rankings, although the South Americans showed much more ambition on their night of nights.
Perhaps it helped that the objective for the Ecuadorians was so clear. Coached by the Argentine Sebastián Beccacece with the same ragged blond hair favoured by his compatriot Claudio Caniggia at the 1990 World Cup, they showed why they were such a force in South American qualification. In that 18-game competition they finished second only to Argentina , whom they beat at home.
Argentine Sebastian Beccacece celebrates with the Ecuador fans after the victory - Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Ecuador had not scored in their two World Cup games before this. But that was resolved after nine minutes when the Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo struck a superb right-footed shot through the legs of Aleksandar Pavlovic as he attempted to block. A few minutes earlier, Pavlovic's high boot had made contact with the face of Pedro Vite before Florian Wirtz had squared the ball to Sané for the first German goal.
Tori Penso, a senior female MLS referee, looked certain to be directed to a VAR review. Instead, the check was cleared and she restarted the game. At the start of the second half Penso went to the VAR screen to examine a foul by Sané on Vite in the build-up to a foul on Kai Havertz by Joel Ordóñez in the Ecuador area. That Germany penalty was subsequently cancelled.
Germany were poor in the second half after that. The centre-back pair of Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rüdiger were not dominant. Felix Nmecha looks like the most creative of their midfielders, but he could not stay in the game. There was precious little from Jamal Musiala and Wirtz. Havertz was substituted before the end. They could not match the intensity of this Ecuador side.
Nagelsmann faced questions afterwards about the physical intensity of his players. "The players have the physical constitution they have," the Germany manager said. "They [Ecuador] have that physicality that they showed against Ivory Coast and that's why they were second in [South American] qualification. We can't change our physicality by Monday [knockout game], that's for sure."
There were also questions over Manuel Neuer , the 40-year-old 126-cap World Cup-winning goalkeeper. Nagelsmann said Neuer was not at fault for either goal. "It has to be defended differently," he said. Joshua Kimmich was substituted in the second half, with Nagelsmann saying that was a change he had planned before the game.
Caicedo was magnificent as a driving force in the Ecuador midfield and the substitute Kevin Rodriguez made a big difference. He plays in Belgium for Brighton 's sister club Union St-Gilloise. It was his touch at the near post that created the winning goal. They missed chances, including Plata, and they had to rely on a very poor finish from Sané when he went through on goal after 76 minutes.
But that willingness to risk something eventually delivered Ecuador their winner in what was a great World Cup moment at a tournament that has been short of them. Ecuador played England in 2006 in Germany in a forgettable last-16 game in which Sven-Göran Eriksson changed his team to accommodate an injured David Beckham. The England captain's goal that day was his last for his country.
Now the Ecuadorians are on a high and will be formidable opponents in the knockout rounds. They have a lot of support from expats in New York, and will present a major physical challenge. At last, one gets the feeling, the real World Cup is starting.
11:29pm
The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people. The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please.
Sebastian Beccacece runs into the crowd at full time - Marc Atkins/Getty Images
11:20pm
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece was on his feet all game - Mike Segar/Reuters
Pedro Vite was outstanding in midfield - Timothy A Clary/Getty Images
Moises Caicedo sinks to his knees - Seth Wenig/AP
11:04pm
11:00pm
After taking one point from games against Ivory Coast and Curacao, Ecuador come from behind to beat Germany to reach the knockout stages. What a way to dig yourselves out of a hole.
This was an inconsequential game for Germany, but after so much domestic criticism of their approach Beccacece and his struck the right balance between defence and attack. There were some mammoth performances, notably Pedro Vite.
Cue wild celebrations in New Jersey.
Ecuador dug themselves out of a hol;e - Frank Franklin II/AP
10:58pm
Ecuador can see the finish line now, and they have a free-kick deep in the Germany half. They have been helped by the lack of jeopardy for Germany, but this is still a monumental victory.
10:55pm
All Germany possession in the Ecuador half, but they are remaining resolute. Beier tries a couple of long throws, but they are less than Kayode-like, and Ecuador head them away quite comfortably. They are almost there now.
10:52pm
Backs to the wall defending from Ecuador now, even though Germany do not really need an equaliser for any reason other than pride. Caicedo tries an ambitious forward pass, but it is the wrong decision.
10:51pm
There will be SEVEN minutes of added time for Ecuador to hold on.
10:50pm
Another free-kick for Ecuador to defend after a reckless challenge near the touchline by Plata. Ecuador slice the ball into the air and need three or four attempts to clear, but eventually they do get it away. They waste the attack though, with four forward, and the ball is in Neuer's hands.
10:48pm
There is still time for a few more nervous moments, Ecuador remain on a tightrope and Germany have a free-kick in a crossing position wide right after Beier is fouled by Estupinan. Cleared at the near post by the player who have the free-kick away.
10:45pm
Rodriguez has been far more of a nuisance for the Germany defence than Valencia . You wonder if Beccacece needs to make a ruthless decision on the veteran, who is an Ecuador legend. Vite has just won a foul from Beier, which allows Ecuador to eat up more of the clock.
10:43pm
That goal is also more bad news for Scotland fans: Ecuador will jump above them in the third-place mini-league and there hopes of squeezing through are looking very thin.
Germany have nothing to play for, but this is the kind of result that deserves to put you though. If Ecuador can see this out.
10:41pm
Fantastic World Cup scenes in the MetLife. Gonzalo Plata has done it for Ecuador, nudging in a fine flick from Kevin Rodriguez. Germans look a bit tired.
10:39pm
All of the Ecuador substitutes are running to the goalscorer, and there is an almighty din around the stadium.
The corner was an inswinger to the near post, flicked on by the big striker Rodriguez, and Plata stretched out his right foot to make contact in front of Neuer and find the roof of the net.
What a moment for Ecuador, as things stand they are into the knockout rounds. A touch of Solskjaer at the Nou Camp about the goal.
10:38pm
Germany's turn to miss a presentable chance. Undav used his body ever so well to pin a defender and flick the ball into Sanae's path but he shot straight at Galindez.
Then Ecuador go on the attack, and Rodriguez's shot on the swivel deflects just over the bar. Chances are starting to come.
10:34pm
Several Ecuador players giving it the old dying swan act on the pitch because they have come oh so close to scoring! There was a mix up between Tah and Neuer initially, before Estupinan whipped the ball across the face of goal and a Plata flick spun up and just wide of the post. Cue team-mates sinking to their knees.
Great chance for Gonzalo Plata. All to play for now – Ecuador need to score or they are going home. Pervis Estupiñán, once of Brighton and Hove Albion (and Watford), now on as a sub.
Ecuador players thought their chance had gone - Mike Segar/Reuters
10:32pm
Another Ecuador change at the end of the hydration break: Estupinan on for Hincapie, who has been playing on a yellow card. Ecuador have 25 minutes odd to find a goal, or they are out of the World Cup.
10:29pm
Time for the second-half hydration break. Florian Wirtz has been Germany's best player today, has had some silky touches and has injected some tempo into their attacks.
10:27pm
News from the other game in Group E: Nicolas Pepe has scored his second, and Ivory Coast lead Curacao 2-0. They are surely assured of second and a place in the last 32. Ecuador need to find a winner if they are to join them.
10:24pm
Undav almost makes an immediate impression, involved in the start of a Germany counter-attack, and he was close to heading home a chipped Raum cross. It was was good goalkeeping by Galindez to claim.
Ecuador making changes: Franco and Enner Valencia off, Preciado and Kevin Rodriguez on.
And Germany have made their third sub: Nmecha off, Beier on. Nagelsmann starting to give his fringe players minutes.
10:23pm
Ecuador's best moment of the second half: Yeboah with a spin down the right channel and he pulls the ball back for Valencia to strike on the volley from the edge of the box, but Neuer was equal to it. Well struck, just too close to the Germany goalkeeper.
10:20pm
Pacho with some good covering defending, and he is fouled by Sane.
A couple of Germany changes: Kimmich and Haverz off, replaced by Thiaw and the man of the moment Undav are on.
10:17pm
The game is becoming increasingly stretched, but Ecuador defend well against Sane in the box. Angulo, their goalscorer, continues to look Ecuador's liveliest forward, they need to keep feeding him the ball against Kimmich.
Sebastian Beccacece is an animated presence on the touchline - Pedro Ugarte/Getty Images
10:13pm
Ecuador fans on the back of Enner Valencia for standing on the ball and slowing down a counter-attack. He had Angulo streaking down the left flank but he turned away, and the sea of yellow in the stands were not enthused by that decision.
10:11pm
A very lively start to the second half, just like the first. Now Ecuador have a free-kick in a crossing position wide right. Skips across the Germany area with no yellow shirt making contact. Now Franco has been booked for a kicking a ball back onto the pitch as Germany tried to take a throw in.
10:09pm
Ecuador have a free-kick, and Germany's penalty is chalked off. It was a simple trip by Sane in the lead up to the incident. Probably a just outcome overall given how soft the penalty itself was.
TORI PENSO SAYS NO PENSO! The MLS referee called by VAR to review a German foul in the build-up to what was a clear penalty in isolation. There was a lot between that foul and the Ordonez challenge on Havertz. Ecuador are still in this one.
Joel Ordonez appeared to foul Germany's Kai Havertz - Dylan Martinez/Reuters
10:08pm
No more than 30 seconds into the half, Ordonez has been penalised for a foul on Havertz in the box. It was clumsy, but the defender brushed the ball first. Sane may also have fouled Vite in the build up.
Lots to look at here, and the referee has been sent over to the screen.
10:06pm
Ecuador kick-off in the second half. One half-time change by Nagelsmann: Stiller on for Pavlovic in midfield.
10:04pm
09:51pm
Really decent game developing. Ecuador will throw everything at this from now on. They are better on the counterattack and there will be chances.
09:51pm
A painful one for Havertz and Pacho at the end of the half who both put their foot into a 50:50.
Ecuador will be pleased with their first 45 minutes, they delivered a strong response to conceding that contentious early goal.
Germany's big hitters are playing within themselves, and Ecuador have a great chance of securing the victory they need if they keep this up.
Beware Deniz Undav off the bench, though.
Nilson Angulo celebrates his equaliser - Frank Franklin II/AP
09:46pm
Four minutes of added time to play, dramatically announced by the stadium PA in New York-New Jersey.
09:44pm
Pacho and Havertz go up for an aerial challenge but neither player makes contact with the ball, and off the back of that duel Hincapie pulls back Musiala. The Arsenal defender is shown a yellow card, moments before Pavlovic is also booked for stopping a counter-attack.
09:41pm
Nice Germany move, Havertz coming short and Musiala spinning behind in the left channel but his low cross is cleared. Pavlovic then plays a pass straight out of throw for an Ecuador throw in.
09:38pm
Musiala tries to lead the Ecuador defence a merry dance but they stick to their task, before Franco wins a crunching tackle on Pavlovic at the edge of the D. Play then stops because of the ball hitting the referee, Germany will get the ball back.
09:35pm
That was a reminder of Germany's quality, though. Pavlovic punches a pass through the lines to Wirtz, and Ordonez made an important block to stop Musiala's shot from the edge of the box.
09:34pm
Valencia threatens to barrel his way though the Germany defence on another transition. Ecuador have a big opportunity here, Germany are playing in second gear, which is understandable given they are assured of top spot.
09:32pm
Play has now resumed. I'm not sure the break favours Ecuador, who were playing with a nice rhythm and causing some problems.
And now they are on the break: Angulo and Valencia against Kimmich and Tah. Angulo's pass forced Valencia a little wide, and Tah blocked the shot.
09:27pm
Time for the first hydration break of the game, and the inevitable boos follow.
PAUSA PARA HIDRATACIÓN! as they say in Quito. Ecuador have played very well since that dubious Germany goal in the second minute. Lots of good forward breaks. Germany are not going to sit deep which suits Ecuador.
09:25pm
Better from Germany, winning the ball high before Raum floated in a teasing cross from the left. Havertz was up early for the header but he did not generate enough power to trouble the goalkeeper Galindez.
09:24pm
Germany all at sea for a few minutes, Ecuador starting to turn the screw. Franco is driving them forward from right-back. It takes some very diligent defending from Sane to halt the run of Hincapie who was picked out in the box.
09:22pm
Hincapie wins Ecuador a corner after a blindside run behind Kimmich, and Ecuador are starting to play with real fluency. Neuer punches the corner clear. Hard to decipher Ecuador's system, lots of rotations and players swapping positions.
09:20pm
Ecuador have settled into the game now, and are keeping the ball as the sun starts to bake the MetLife Stadium. The Ecuador fans are not happy with the referee for buying Kimmich drawing a foul from Hincapie. The Germany right-back had a hold of the Arsenal man's shirt in fact, and Hincapie was about to dribble into the Germany penalty area.
Piero Hincapie threatens down the left - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
09:14pm
Germany, as in their first two games, are enjoying plenty of possession, with Ecuador looking to find the stretching runs of Enner Valencia when they do come forward. Musiala has a sighter, shooting well wide of the post from long range.
09:12pm
In the other game in the group, Nicolas Pepe has put Ivory Coast 1-0 up against Curacao. So Ecuador's chance of progression is to win this game and qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
It sounds like a home game for Ecuador whenever they attack or win a tackle.
09:09pm
A cracking hit from the Sunderland man, and the chance was created by Vite swarming over Nmecha and turning the ball over in a dangerous position. Angulo had plenty to do though, bending his shot into the bottom corner from almost 25 yards. Ecuador needed that.
What a great strike from Sunderland's Nilson Angulo. Left it so late that he struck it through the legs of Pavlovic as he came over to try to block. A lovely hit off the right foot.
09:07pm
Ecuador are renowned for the excellent defensive record, but they look alarmingly vulnerable so far. Wirtz looks as sharp as he has in a long while, every attack is going through him.
That's a truly dreadful Germany away kit. Looks like one of the staple colourways dished out by suppliers to clubs in the bottom half of the Premier League/Championship who do not generate enough sales to warrant their own bespoke design concept team.
09:05pm
A horrible start for Ecuador, but they are appealing for a foul and VAR could well grant them a reprieve. Pavlovic with a lovely piece of control, but his high foot touched Pedro Vite on the face. Wirtz then wriggled into the box and teed up Sane. Clinical finish.
But referee Tori Penso points to the penalty spot, much to the dismay of Ecuador. Goal stands!
Amazed that survived the VAR review given how Pavlovic's high boot made contact with Vite's head. Fifa must have told VAR to take a back seat at this tournament.
Pavlovic got away with this high boot - Yuki Iwamura/AP
Leroy Sane's goal stood - John Sibley/Reuters
09:02pm
Worrying moment defensively for Ecuador as Ordonez misjudges a long ball, renowned powerhouse Florian Wirtz easing him out and almost getting a shot off in the box.
09:01pm
Germany get the game started.
08:56pm
Germany are always well supported at tournaments, but there is a significant Ecuadorian diaspora across the United States, and the yellow and blue appears to be the dominant colour.
John Sibley/Reuters
08:51pm
Will the fact Germany are already through impair their performance or allow them to attack with even greater abandon? Ecuador have switched to playing with three centre-backs, so have set their stall out to keep things tight and take the game into the closing stages.
Germany look to be growing into the tournament - Seth Wenig/AP
08:26pm
This was the same stadium in which Moises Caicedo won the Fifa Club World Cup final against Paris St-Germain less than 12 months ago. Much resting on Ecuador's star midfielder today. His Ecuador team-mate Willian Pacho, of PSG , was suspended for the final in July last year. He is in the team today, as is Sunderland striker Nilson Angulo and Arsenal full-back Piero Hincapie. A golden Ecuador generation and well supported by Ecuador fans here in New York-New Jersey.
Ecuador need to pull off a famous victory - John Sibley/Reuters
08:19pm
One of the most touch-tight defenders around, but Nagelsmann preferred the left-footed distribution of Schlotterbeck in his team. The injury-enforced change might actually make Germany more robust as a defensive unit.
Antonio Rudiger started just 16 La Liga games for Real Madrid last season - Vincent Carchietta/Reuters
08:16pm
Curacao XI:Room; Brenet, Gaari, Obispo, Floranus, Fonville; Chong, J. Bacuna, Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Locadia
Subs:Sambo, van Eijma, Roemeratoe, Antonisse, Hansen, Noslin, Gorre, Martha, Margaritha, Kuwas, Kastaneer, Felida, Bazoer, Bodak, Doornbusch
Ivory Coast XI:Y. Fofana; Operi, Doue, Kossounou, O. Diomande; Diallo, Kessie, Sangare, Y. Diomande; Pepe, Bonny
Subs:Agbadou, Seri, Wahi, Konan, Adringra, Singo, Diakite, Toure, Kone, S. Fofana, Ndicka, Guessand, Lafont, Guiagon, Oulai
08:03pm
08:02pm
08:00pm
Ecuador XI: Galindez; Hincapie, Pacho, Ordonez; Vite, Franco, Caicedo; Plata, Yeboah, Valencia, Angulo
Subs : Torres, Alcivar, Estupinan, Anthony Valencia, Paez, Rodgriguez, Ramirez, Minda, Jordy Caicedo, Preciado, Castillo, Valle, Arevalo, Porozo, Medina
07:56pm
Lots of Ecuador fans in Manhattan this morning. They are still yet to see their team score in a defeat to Ivory Coast and that 0-0 draw with Curaçao. Not a great tournament so far for the team that finished second in the gruelling 18-game South American qualifying. There were many good results in that phase including a win at home over the world champions and a win in Ecuador over Uruguay.
07:54pm
Schlotterbeck turned his ankle against Ivory Coast, and was replaced by Antonio Rudiger who stays in the team at centre-back. Schlotterbeck arrived for tonight's game on crutches.
Nagelsmann has decided against resting some of his big hitters despite progression being assured. Deniz Undav's wait for a first tournament start goes on.
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Raum; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
07:47pm
Greetings from New Jersey, where Ecuador must win to have any realistic chance of making the round of 32. They have just one point and there are already seven teams in third place across the 12 groups with three points. Eight third place teams will go through. A win today will see Ecuador through. Even a draw will likely not be enough. Germany are already through as winners of Group E.
Ecuador have wasted too many chances across their two games - Buda Mendes/Getty Images
07:34pm
Other results are likely to prove more pivotal, but if Ecuador were to beat Germany and Ivory Coast were to beat Curacao, they would bump Scotland down another place in the third-placed mini-league.
Scotland would prefer a routine Germany win to confirm finishing clear of Ecuador. Especially given those favourable fixtures facing the other teams below the Scots.
Still, supporting Germany at a World Cup is hardly unfamiliar to Scotland fans.
07:31pm
The first of the knockout games is on Sunday night, and by then we will have a clearer picture of how the tournament will pan out. You can use your own crystal ball to play our interactive World Cup predictor here.
07:25pm
Germany are assured of top spot in Group E but that has not halted the debate over Julian Nagelsmann's selections and tactical approach.
The man of the hour for Germany is Deniz Undav, the former Brighton and Hove Albion striker who was playing in the semi-professional German third tier aged 23. Undav has scored three goals and provided two assists from the bench in Germany's first two games, including a crisp finish in stoppage time to beat Ivory Coast.
A growing number of Germany fans would like to see Undav start, but much like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta at club level, Nagelsmann is very appreciative of Kai Havertz's all-round contribution in the No 9 role.
Germany's head coach was strangely dismissive of Undav when invited to praise him in March, but it is not out of the question that he and Havertz could play together in the same attack.
Given Germany were dumped out at the group stage of the last two World Cups, they will be relieved to make it through a tricky group containing Ivory Coast and tonight's opponents Ecuador. Their football has been pleasing on the eye, but there have been defensive vulnerabilities, especially in the full-back positions and against fast breaks. Central midfielder Felix Nmecha has been a stand-out performer.
Rather like Turkey, Ecuador have paid the price for profligacy in their first two matches which have yielded just one point. Ecuador failed to score from 36 shots on goal and 11 on target across 180 minutes against Curacao and Ivory Coast.
There is still at outside chance the South Americans, who conceded just five goals in 18 games in qualifying, could make it through, but they need to beat Germany and hope.
Full team news on the way shortly, and we will have goal updates from Curacao vs Ivory Coast.
