A public holiday has been declared in Ecuador after the country qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup
Ecuador declared a public holiday after the country’s soccer team reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. Ecuador sealed a qualification spot with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Germany in their final group stage match on Friday 26 June.
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 greatest football successes in recent history.
“Thank you to the players and the coach who, despite the criticism, insults and hard times they went through, managed to bounce back and bring this immense joy to the whole country. Holidays tomorrow! Long live Ecuador,” Noboa wrote on the social network.
ECUADOR vs. GERMANY: HOW IT HAPPENED
The celebrations came after Ecuador, under immense pressure, achieved their biggest result in two decades. Having entered a difficult campaign in the first two matches of the tournament, Ecuador entered the game threatened by the prospect of elimination from the group stage.
Germany secured qualification and top spot in Group E before kick-off and came aiming to carry the momentum into the round of 32. Ecuador, meanwhile, hadn’t scored a single goal in the tournament and knew they wouldn’t get any second chances.
Things couldn’t have started worse.
Germany struck in 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 as he flicked the ball into the path of Florian Wirtz. Ecuador protested furiously and expected the play to be called back for a foul, but referee Tori Penso let the goal stand and VAR decided not to intervene.
For a team bearing the pressure of qualification, this moment could easily have been broken by Ecuador. Instead, they refused to surrender.
Just 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 at the World Cup – and it came on his 40th shot of the tournament.
The equalizer changed the game.
Germany still controlled possession and looked more comfortable on the ball, but Ecuador began to play with more freedom and began to find 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 deserved a penalty after Kai Havertz went down in the box. But on review the decision was overturned after the officials ruled that Sane had committed a foul in the build-up.
The run kept Ecuador alive.
FIFA WORLD CUP: ECUADOR STUNNED GERMANY
As time ticked away 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 lunged for a corner in a crowded penalty area and Gonzalo Plata was the quickest to react, stretching out to poke the ball into the net.
Ecuador’s bench exploded.
But there was still more than 10 minutes left to survive.
Germany pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, while Ecuador retreated into a compact shape and desperately and disciplinedly defended every delivery into the box.
When the final whistle came, Ecuador’s players dropped to the pitch as 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.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
26 Jun 2026 08:35 IST