Five Things We Learned from Ecuador 2-1 Germany

Five Things We Learned from Ecuador 2-1 Germany

Ecuador earned their first knockout berth since 2006 in dramatic fashion as they came back from an early goal down to win 2-1 against Group E winners Germany.

Goals from La Tricolor's Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata were enough for the vital victory.

Here are five things we learned from this clash.

1. VAR Comes Into Question Once Again

🤔 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗘: Should the VAR got involved for this high foot? pic.twitter.com/3vIOT7Q5fR

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) June 25, 2026

VAR always seems to take centre stage in the most important moments - and that is because it is in play to make sure these crucial calls are called right so that every outcome is fair no matter what.

Of course, that is never how it goes, as VAR seems to get things wrong all the time - and today was no different.

For the opening goal, Ecuador players were seething at American referee Mary Penso, and for good reason. When attempting to win the ball in the final, Germany's Aleksandar Pavlovic seemingly scratched Ecuador's Pedro Vite with a high foot, but Penso initally played on and Germany went on to score.

The pundits on the BBC broadcast didn't really know what to make of it at first, but after Alan Shearer saw the right replay, the contact was evident and it should have been disallowed - however, it wasn't. A few seconds later and Penso pointed back to the centre circle and it left La Tricolor with a serious uphill battle.

Just thank God VAR got the decision early on in the second half correct.

2. When the Stakes are High, These Games Deliver

These final round of group games so far have delivered so much it is just brilliant to watch as neutrals.

When there are so much on the line for these games, they do tend to deliver on a reliable basis and form some serious entertainment.

In the opening two rounds of fixtures, there were 141 goals scored in 48 matches, which comes out an average of 2.94 goals per game - this includes multiple 5-1 scorelines, and of course Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao.

However, the final round of group games have provided us with an incredible 25 goals from just eight games. This has also seen three or more goals be scored in six of the eight, and we can definitely expect more to come.

3. Ecuador Must Find A Proven Goalscorer

Two things can be taken away from this game:
Germany are not infallible. Today they have looked pretty dreadful.
Ecuador really should not be playing Enner Valencia. Without him they look dynamic

— Holden Willemsen (@HoldenWillemsen) June 25, 2026

Now, well done to Ecuador for scoring twice when you're backs were right up against the wall, but they must find someone they can rely on to find these goals.

The difference in these dark horse nations - particularly Ecuador and Norway - is that La Tricolor do not have a proven goalscorer.

Enner Valencia is an absolute legend for Ecuador, and for good reason - however, this past fortnight nothing has clicked for the 36-year-old.

15 shots on target against Curacao, you'd think you're greatest forward would be able to get the job done. He couldn't.

And again today, all he managed in their most important hour of football in years was one shot on goal - simply not good enough given their position.

4. The Dark Horses Have Finally Arrived

🇪🇨 Our dark horses for the World Cup; Ecuador.

A new generation of talent - spearheaded by Moisés Caicedo, Piero Hincapié and Willian Pacho - has transformed Ecuador into one of the toughest sides to break down in world football under the leadership of Sebastián Beccacece.… pic.twitter.com/Szs0OUkKsI

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) June 11, 2026

Ecuador have been ever so underwhleming in comparison to their exectations coming into this game, having picked up one point against Ivory Coast and Curacao combined.

They had also yet to even score, causing serious concern that they would bomb out early once again, despite hoping for this summer to be their most successful in World Cup history.

Something felt different from the start against Germany, however. They defenced excellently throughout, and actually looked like they could score when attacking, especially in the second half and got their reward.

They should now be in the round of 32, but how much further can they go.

5. Are There Concerns for Germany Heading Forward?

Germany came into the game looking to register a 100% record, and already knew they were coming first.

This may have factored in to what exactly their mindset was heading into the game, as they were relatively poor throughout, and lacked any real intention at times and ruthlessness they showed in their first two games.

Now although it doesn't matter as they were going through anyway, it could be concerning in the sense they don't head into the play-offs with any real momentum after failing to pick up any points tonight.