Ecuador v Germany
Play By Play
Against all odds, Ecuador come from behind to claim a vital 2-1 win over Germany which guarantees them a spot in the knockout stages. Sebastian Beccacece's side got off to the worst possible start when Sane put Germany a goal up after just two minutes, but it didn't take Ecuador long to respond. In fact, it took just seven minutes for Angulo to bend the ball past Neuer with an exquisite finish from range to tie the score at 1-1. A draw wouldn't have been enough for Ecuador, though, who knew they needed a win to avoid an early exit, and they were made to work incredibly hard for the three points. And the crucial breakthrough finally came on the 77-minute mark when Rodriguez's header flicked the ball into the path of Plata, who poked the ball past Neuer to put his side 2-1 up. Ecuador hadn't scored a single goal at this tournament prior to kick-off and recorded their lowest amount of shots so far (seven), which produced 1.51 xG to Germany's 0.65. Despite the defeat, Germany still finish top of Group E after winning their first two matches, ahead of second-placed Ivory Coast due to their superior head-to-head record. Ecuador, of course, finish in third and could be set for a meeting with England in the round of 32 depending on how things pan out in Group L, while Curacao finish bottom with a single point to their name. That's all for this one, thanks for joining us!
FULL-TIME: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
Plata sparks scenes of jubilation from the Ecuador fans as he wins a vital free-kick to the left of the German box. That might just be enough to get them over the line...
Germany record another shot on goal as Gross attempts an audacious left-footed volley on the edge of the Ecuador box. Gross never looked convinced taking the shot on, though, and the ball sails high into the crowd.
Vite's nine tackles in this match are the most by an Ecuadorian player on record at the World Cup (since 1966) and joint-most by a player in a match at this tournament. He's been an absolutely vital cog in that Ecuador midfield.
UNDAV GETS A GLIMPSE...BUT MISSES!! Another chance goes begging for Germany as Undav is unable to hit the target with a left-footed effort. It was an initially brilliant pass from Raum into the feet of Gross, who then laid the ball into the path of Undav, but the angle was too tight and the forward could only find the side-netting. Still four more minutes for Ecuador to hold on, though!
Ecuador are defending heroically as the German waves of attack keep on coming. They're not giving the Germany players a moment to breathe in possession, but they could do with an out ball to relieve some of the pressure on their backline...
There will be SEVEN minutes of added time at the end of the second half. Ecuador have all but qualified for the knockouts, IF they hold on here. You could cut the tension with a knife...
Ecuador's Plata is rightly shown a yellow card for an incredibly reckless challenge on Musiala.
This is going to be a nervous ending for Ecuador as Germany continue to probe for an equaliser. Estupinan first concedes a free-kick to the right of his own box, which he then turns behind for a corner. Ecuador then go on to clear Raum's resulting corner, but the Germany pressure continues...
Germany are going in search of an equaliser but, in truth, they've hardly threatened since going a goal up after two minutes. Ecuador have been by far the superior side of the two...so far.
Ecuador's Jordy Caicedo also comes on for Angulo.
More Ecuador changes as Yeboah is replaced by Torres.
This would be just the second time that Ecuador have won a World Cup match after conceding first, following a 2-1 win over Honduras in 2014. And what a vital win it could be, providing they're able to see it out.
Ecuador could be forgiven for looking to see this one out, but they look as though they're going in search of a third. It's like a basketball match at the moment.
Germany goalkeeper Neuer has now conceded more goals (four) than he's made saves (three) at this World Cup. He certainly won't enjoy watching that second goal back. Neuer's hesitance allowed Plata to nick in front of him and get the vital touch to put Ecuador 2-1 up.
That could be HUGE for Ecuador. As things stand, they have four points to their name in third and sit first among the third-placed sides. The Opta supercomputer is giving them a strong 66.27% chance of qualifying for the knockouts, but can they hold on?!
Rodriguez does brilliantly to nod the ball on from the corner, allowing Plata to prod it home with his left foot. How crucial might that goal be?!
OH MY WORD!! ECUADOR HAVE FOUND THE GOAL THEY NEEDED!! Wow! Ecuador might just have sealed their place in the knockouts as Plata pokes the ball home from Caicedo's corner. Rodriguez did brilliantly to flick the cross on at the near post, allowing Plata to get a vital touch in front of Neuer to put them 2-1 up! The German goalkeeper has to be doing better, but Ecuador won't care! Ecuador 2-1 Germany!
NOW GERMANY ALMOST SCORE!! This one's end to end now. It all comes from Neuer's simple hoof forward, which Undav directs into the path of Sane. He then suddenly finds himself through on goal, but Sane makes a complete mess of his effort as he scuffs his shot into the ground, allowing the ball to bobble into the hands of Galindez. What drama!
There's definitely been more intent in Ecuador's play since the hydration break. They know they have to go for this now.
Germany make another substitution, as Gross replaces Wirtz.
WOW! GERMANY ALMOST SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT! Ecuador are agonisingly close to a second after a horrible mix-up between Tah and Neuer at the back. Neither take control of the situation after Angulo's through ball and they almost lay the ball on a plate for Rodriguez, who isn't quite able to race onto the ball and tap it home. The latter keeps the ball in play, though, and finds Caicedo, who almost lays the ball on a plate for Plata. He can't quite direct his effort on target, however, and the chance goes begging.
The match resumes again for a crucial final period of this match. To put it simply, these next 18 minutes will dictate whether Ecuador remain in with a shout of reaching the knockouts.
Ecuador make another change as Estupinan comes on for Hincapie, who has been booked.
