National holiday declared in Ecuador after country qualifies for World Cup knockouts

Ecuador declared a national holiday after their dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Germany which sealed them a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in 20 years. President Daniel Noboa hailed the team's resilience in a difficult campaign.

In Short

• Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Round of 32
• President Daniel Noboa declared a national holiday after the result
• Gonzalo Plata's late goal completed Ecuador's comeback over Germany

Ecuador declared a national holiday after the country's football team reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 20 years. Ecuador sealed the qualification place with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Germany in their final group-stage match on Friday, June 26.

President Daniel Noboa announced the decision soon after the result, praising the players and coaching staff for overcoming criticism and delivering one of Ecuador's biggest football achievements in recent history.

“Thanks to the players and the coach who, despite the criticism, the insults, and the tough times they went through, managed to bounce back and bring this immense joy to the entire country. Tomorrow, holiday! Long live Ecuador,” Noboa posted on social media.

ECUADOR vs GERMANY: AS IT HAPPENED

The celebrations came after Ecuador produced their biggest result in two decades under enormous pressure. Having entered a difficult campaign in the first two matches of the tournament, Ecuador entered the game threatened by the prospect of a group-stage elimination.

Germany had already secured qualification and top spot in Group E before kickoff and arrived looking to carry momentum into the Round of 32. Ecuador, meanwhile, had not scored a single goal in the tournament and knew there would be no second chances.

Things could hardly have started worse.

Germany struck in just the second minute through Leroy Sane, but the goal immediately became a source of controversy.

The move began after Aleksandar Pavlovic appeared to catch Ecuador midfielder Pedro Vite with a high boot while flicking the ball into the path of Florian Wirtz. Ecuador protested furiously, expecting play to be brought back for a foul, but referee Tori Penso allowed the goal to stand and VAR chose not to intervene.

For a team carrying the pressure of qualification, that moment could easily have broken Ecuador. Instead, they refused to give up.

Only seven minutes later, Vite forced a turnover high up the pitch and Ecuador finally found the breakthrough they had been waiting for all tournament. Nilson Angulo collected the ball outside the box and curled an effort that slipped through Pavlovic's legs before finding the net.

It was Ecuador's first goal of the World Cup - and it came on their 40th shot of the tournament.

The equaliser transformed the contest.

Germany still controlled possession and looked more comfortable on the ball, but Ecuador began playing with more freedom and started finding pockets in transition. Manuel Neuer had to stay alert as Ecuador threatened to punish Germany's high line.

Early in the second half Germany thought they had earned a penalty after Kai Havertz went down inside the box. But after a review, the decision was overturned after officials ruled that Sane had committed a foul in the build-up.

The escape kept Ecuador alive.

FIFA WORLD CUP: ECUADOR STUN GERMANY

As time ticked down and qualification remained out of reach, Ecuador rolled the dice from the bench. Kevin Rodriguez came on in the 64th minute and changed the game.

In the 77th minute, Rodriguez flicked on a corner inside a crowded penalty area and Gonzalo Plata reacted quickest, stretching to toe-poke the ball into the net.

The Ecuador bench exploded.

But there were still more than 10 minutes left to survive.

Germany pushed numbers forward searching for an equaliser, while Ecuador retreated into a compact shape and defended every delivery into the box with desperation and discipline.

When the final whistle arrived, Ecuador's players dropped to the turf while their supporters erupted in celebration.

Twenty years after their last appearance in the knockout rounds, Ecuador were back - and the country had a holiday to celebrate it.

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