Ecuador stun Germany to set up potential England Round of 32 clash at World Cup

Ecuador came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in New Jersey on Thursday, reshaping the World Cup knockout picture and placing England on course to face La Tri in the Round of 32 — provided Gareth Southgate’s side beat Panama at the same venue on Saturday to seal top spot in Group L.

Leroy Sane gave Germany the lead inside two minutes with a curled finish, but Ecuador — who had failed to score in their opening two group games — fought back decisively. Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo equalised before Gonzalo Plata struck the winner to complete a stunning turnaround against Julian Nagelsmann’s full-strength side.

The result moves Ecuador onto four points in Group E and, under current projections, sends them through as group winners. England, if they finish top of Group L, would travel to Atlanta for the Round of 32 before a potential last-16 tie in Mexico City. Earlier projections had pointed toward DR Congo or Cape Verde as England’s likely opponents at that stage.

The defeat also tightens the noose around Scotland. Steve Clarke’s side will be formally eliminated from the tournament if Belgium draw or beat New Zealand.

England have history with Ecuador at this stage of a World Cup. The two sides met in the last 16 at Germany 2006, with David Beckham’s free-kick settling a 1-0 win for the Three Lions.

This Ecuador squad carries genuine quality. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie, PSG centre-back Willian Pacho, and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez give them a strong spine, even if their tournament began in difficult fashion — a late defeat to Ivory Coast in Philadelphia was followed by a draw with Curacao, whose goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a heroic display to frustrate them.

At full-time in New Jersey, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo collapsed to the turf in tears, a moment that captured the weight of the result for a nation that finished second in South American qualifying but had appeared in danger of an early exit.

England’s projected Round of 32 meeting with Ecuador would take place next Wednesday.