World Cup 2026: The Earthquake Exposing the Cracks in the German Tank

According to a VNA correspondent in New York, Germany started the match with great initiative, employing high pressing and constantly putting pressure on the opponent's half. "Die Mannschaft" soon turned their dominance into a goal when Leroy Sané opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a precise left-footed strike.

However, after conceding early, Ecuador quickly regained control of the game. The South American side deliberately dropped deep, organized a tight defense, and waited for counterattack opportunities through fast-paced moves on the flanks. In the 9th minute, Nilson Angulo fired a decisive shot to level the score at 1-1.

In the second half, Ecuador stuck to their defensive-counterattacking strategy, focusing on exploiting the gaps between Germany's midfield and defense. Although they had less possession, the South American team repeatedly created dangerous counterattacks. Meanwhile, Germany showed signs of slowing down, partly because they had already secured top spot in Group E.

The surprise came in the 77th minute when Gonzalo Plata capitalized on a scramble inside the box to score the winning goal, making it 2-1 for Ecuador.

With this victory, Ecuador earned four points after three matches and are well placed to advance to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. The result against Germany is not only significant for the points tally but also boosts the confidence of "La Tri" to continue their World Cup journey, provided they maintain the tactical discipline and fighting spirit they displayed.

As for Germany, despite suffering their first loss of the tournament, "Die Mannschaft" still finished top of Group E and enter the knockout round as a title contender. However, the defeat to Ecuador also exposed weaknesses in their transition play and concentration under coach Julian Nagelsmann. These are issues the German team must quickly address if they hope to go far in the 2026 World Cup.