Ecuador secured a dramatic spot in the World Cup last 32 on Thursday, pulling off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory against group winners Germany.

The decisive moment came 13 minutes from time when Gonzalo Plata jabbed home from close range at the MetLife Stadium, sparking wild celebrations among Ecuadorian fans and ensuring the South American side advanced as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.

The match began with controversy when Leroy Sane gave Germany the lead after just two minutes with a goal Ecuador felt should have been disallowed for a high boot in the build-up.

However, Ecuador responded resiliently, with Nilson Angulo leveling the score seven minutes later.

Following a tense second half where a potential Germany penalty was overturned by VAR, Plata’s late winner ended Germany’s 11-match winning run.

"The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people," Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said after the match.

"The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please."

Match-winner Gonzalo Plata added, "It's better this way; it's a learning experience for us and now we'll go into the next round even more hungry for glory. This team believes strongly in itself."

Despite the defeat, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was left dismayed by his team's performance, labeling their second-half display "tactical suicide."

"We got off to a great start," Nagelsmann said. "Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult. Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell – they had their foot on the gas."

In the group's other concluding match, the Ivory Coast eliminated Curaçao with a 2-0 victory in Philadelphia, with Nicolas Pepe scoring twice to seal the runner-up spot in Group E.

It marks the first time the West African nation has reached the knockout stage.

"My message to fans would be to enjoy this historic qualification, celebrate it," Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae said.

"Once we are done celebrating, please continue sending us positive vibes so we can go as far as we can in this tournament."

Curaçao, the smallest country by population to ever play in the World Cup, finished at the bottom of the group with one point.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands concluded their first-round campaign with a perfect record, defeating Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City to top Group F.

Japan also advanced to the last 32 after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Sweden, which saw Sweden progress as one of the best third-placed finishers.

"The boys were fantastic," Sweden’s coach Graham Potter noted after the draw.

"Over the course of the game it was a pretty fair result and arguably we were slightly the better team in the second half."

As the knockout brackets begin to take shape, the Netherlands are set to face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in the last 32, while Japan will take on Group C winners Brazil.

Source: AFP