Late Gonzalo Plata goal keeps Ecuador’s World Cup dreams alive

By Mario Amaya 

East Rutherford, NJ- Ecuador entered Thursday afternoon’s match against Germany in do-or-die mode, as a win would guarantee them a spot in the round of 32 in the World Cup. In contrast, a draw or a loss would guarantee their early exit from the tournament. 

In front of a sold-out crowd, mostly clad in yellow in support of Ecuador, “La Tri” would come through in a very dramatic way as they upset the four-time World Cup-winning German national team by a final score of 2-1. 

The game-winning goal came courtesy of Gonzalo Plata. It was the 77th minute, and Ecuador had won a corner kick. Pedro Vite took the corner, finding Kevin Rodríguez inside the box. Rodríguez flicked the ball in the direction of Plata. The Flamengo man, who was being marked by center back Jonathan Tah, was able to extend his foot in front of German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, placing the ball on the top part of the net and sending the Ecuadorian fans in attendance into a frenzy of ecstasy and joy, while the stadium shook off the noise and jubilation of the fans in attendance as Plata’s shot crossed the line. 

The goal even prompted Ecuador’s head coach, Sebastián Beccacece, to run from his touch line and jump the barricade to celebrate the goal with his family. 

Germany took the lead just two minutes after kickoff. On a throw-in, David Raum played the ball to Aleksandar Pavlović, who flicked the ball over Vite, laying the ball to Florian Wirtz. The Liverpool midfielder played the ball across to Leroy Sané, who, with a one-time shot from the middle of the box, put the ball in the bottom corner of the net past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez to give Germany the lead. The play would be reviewed by referee Tori Penso for a possible foul from Pavlović on Vite, after Pavlović's foot looked to hit Vite in the face, but after the review, Penso deemed there was no foul on the play and let the goal stand.  

Ecuador would respond with a goal of their own in the 9th minute, as Germany was looking to clear the ball from their own end, Vite would poke the ball away from Felix Nmecha, with the ball falling to Nilson Angulo. Angulo carried the ball a few yards and took a shot from distance that nestled in the lower right-hand corner of Neuer’s net to the delight of the fans in attendance. 

When Penso blew the final whistle, Ecuadorian fans and players rejoiced as Ecuador advanced to the round of 32 as one of the best third-place teams in the tournament. Ivory Coast secured 2nd place in Group E after their victory against Curacao in Philadelphia. As for Germany, they still finish at the top of the group despite the defeat.