Ecuador fight back to beat Germany and progress to last 32 at World Cup

Ecuador produced a rousing fightback to come from behind and beat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match in New Jersey to put themselves into the last 32 of the World Cup.

Leroy Sane had fired Germany, who were already qualified as group winners, into an early lead at the MetLife Stadium, before Nilson Angulo soon had Ecuador level after nine minutes.

Germany had a penalty at the start of the second half overturned following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up before Gonzalo Plata stabbed in the winner with 13 minutes left to leave the South Americans on four points and top of the third-place rankings.

Ecuador’s victory further dents Scotland’s hopes of making it through to the last 32. Steve Clarke’s side – who have three points and a minus three goal difference – now drop down into the final eighth spot, but with other groups still to finish.

Germany made a fast start after a goal from Sane inside two minutes, the Galatasaray winger slotting into the bottom corner from Florian Wirtz’s slide-rule pass.

Ecuador, who had lost to the Ivory Coast and then drew 0-0 with Curacao, were complaining of a foul in the build-up for a high boot by Aleksander Pavlovic on Pedro Vite, but American referee Tori Penso was unmoved and she signalled the goal to stand.

The lead, though, did not last long as Sunderland forward Angulo fired in Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute, his shot going past the dive of Manuel Neuer into the far corner.

Germany, who had followed up the 7-1 demolition of minnows Curacao with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, looked for a swift response themselves before the first hydration break, but a header from Arsenal frontman Kai Havertz lacked any real power to trouble Ecuador