LIVEBLOG: Ecuador vs. Germany - 2026 FIFA World Cup

Hello again everyone, welcome to liveblog coverage of the third and last Group E match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, between Germany and Ecuador at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Updates from this match, and goal updates from Curaçao - Côte d'Ivoire, to come over the next 3 hours.

In the linked article are the confirmed lineups for Germany and Ecuador this afternoon..

Germany have met Ecuador on only two occasions in their history, both going to the DFB-Team. The first was a 3-0 victory at the 2006 tournament on goals from Miroslav Klose (twice) and Łukasz Podolski, and the second was a 2013 friendly that ended 4-2 on a pair of goals from Podolski and Lars Bender. Antonio Valencia and Wálter Ayoví scored for Ecuador in that meeting.

The Group E table, going into the final day, looks like this:
1. Germany (2-0-0, 6 pts) 9-2
2. Côte d’Ivoire (1-0-1, 3 pts) 2-2
3. Ecuador (0-1-1, 1 pt) 0-1
4. Curaçao (0-1-1, 1 pt) 1-7

Germany have already finished first in the group - since if they were to lose and Côte d’Ivoire were to win today, the DFB-Team would finish first on head-to-head record. Both Ecuador and Curaçao could have been eliminated in the second round, but both avoided it through a 0-0 draw. However, if they draw / lose their matches, their chances of making the next phase are very small.

Germany are already confirmed to be playing the third-place team from any of Groups A, B, C, D, or F this upcoming Monday, with kickoff that one set for 16.30 (EDT) / 22.30 (CET) in Foxborough.

The team that places second will face the runner-up of Group I (which is the losing side of the France - Norway match) in Arlington on Tuesday, 12.00 (EDT) / 19.00 (CET).

The two sides have taken to the field at MetLife Stadium. National anthems, followed by the coin toss and kickoff between Ecuador and Germany this afternoon.

1': ECUADOR 0-0 GERMANY

And we are underway in the final round of Group E in East Rutherford! Germany, in blue, kick off and will go left to right in the opening term - Ecuador, in gold, will go right to left when on the attack.

The other group match, Curaçao - Côte d'Ivoire in Philadelphia, has also begun.

2': ECUADOR 0-1 GERMANY
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!
L. Sané (assist: F. Wirtz)

Florian Wirtz makes his way into the left side of the box and taps it to Leroy Sané - who curls the ensuing left-footed attempt past Hernán Galíndez and into the bottom-left corner! Ecuador are protesting - they thought that Aleksandar Pavlović caught Pedro Vite with a high boot in the buildup to his pass to Wirtz, but the goal will stand and Germany are in front.

4': ECUADOR 0-1 GERMANY

Sané's opener pushes Ecuador to the bottom of the table, with Curaçao taking the third place spot at the moment because their score remains 0-0.
1. Germany (3-0-0, 9 pts) 10-2
2. Côte d’Ivoire (1-1-1, 4 pts) 2-2
3. Curaçao (0-2-1, 2 pts) 1-7
4. Ecuador (0-1-2, 1 pt) 0-2

7': ECUADOR 0-1 GERMANY
UPDATE: CURAÇAO 0-1 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Côte d’Ivoire jump in front in Philadelphia, thanks to a Nicolas Pepe attempt that goes into the bottom-right corner. Yan Diomande, who currently plays his club football with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, picks up the assist. With that, Ecuador move back into third in the table:
1. Germany (3-0-0, 9 pts) 10-2
2. Côte d’Ivoire (2-1-0, 7 pts) 3-2
3. Ecuador (0-1-2, 1 pt) 0-2
4. Curaçao (0-1-2, 1 pt) 1-8

10': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY
ECUADOR GOAL
N. Angulo (assist: P. Vite)

Joshua Kimmich and Felix Nmecha leave a bit too much space for Nilson Angulo in the centre of the German half, and he takes full advantage of it by sending a beautiful dipping right-footed shot past a leaping Manuel Neuer and into the bottom-right corner. Ecuador draw level and now have a one-point advantage over Curaçao in the race for third in Group E.

11': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Because of the Angulo equaliser, the table updates, with Ecuador moving back into third place:
1. Germany (2-1-0, 7 pts) 10-3
2. Côte d’Ivoire (2-0-1, 6 pts) 3-2
3. Ecuador (0-2-1, 2 pts) 1-2
4. Curaçao (0-1-2, 1 pt) 1-8

13': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Jamal Musiala breaks through the Ecuadorian midfield and passes to his right to Felix Nmecha, close to the edge of the box. The Hamburg-born Borussia Dortmund midfielder cannot take full advantage, as his right-footed attempt bounces wide of the left post for a goal kick to Galíndez.

16': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

With Julian Nagelsmann playing all but two starters from the Côte d'Ivoire match (Raum in place of Brown at LB, Rüdiger in place of the injured Schlotterbeck at RCB), it will be interesting to see if he turns to his bench earlier than usual - given that there is nothing to play for other than a perfect finish in Group E. It would not only give the reserves some time to create chances and build chemistry with a portion of the main squad, but also gives the starters some rest ahead of a win or go home Round of 32 meeting at Gillette Stadium.

19': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Ecuador launch a counterattack on the left side of the German third. Piero Hincapié and Kimmich contest for the ball, but the former pushes the latter to the ground as Kimmich tugs on the jersey of the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen wing-back. Tori Penso awards a free kick to Germany and Neuer appears to be the one to hoof it long.

21': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Willian Pacho attempts to cross the ball into the centre of the box, from the right side of the German half; a sliding Kimmich meets it with a perfectly-timed strike with his right boot. Ecuador regroup, and Hincapié blasts the ball off Kimmich for a corner on the left side, which John Yeboah will swing into the box.

22': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Yeboah sends it near-post, but Neuer is there to punch it well away from danger. Vite waits a few seconds for it to bounce out - thus giving a throw to the South American side.

23': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Yeboah supplies a pass to Vite at the edge of the box, and the latter crosses it towards the goalmouth. Enner Valencia attempts to get onto it with a towering header, but completely misses and after it deflects off the body of Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger will clear it from danger.

25': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Wirtz threads the ball through the legs of Sané, hoping to allow it to roll to Musiala - however, Joel Ordóñez times his clearance well, allowing the ball to come back to the left side of the Ecuadorian third. Wirtz whips in a near-post cross, finding Havertz inside the goal area - the Arsenal forward leaps above Pacho, but his attempt is thwarted by a diving Galíndez.

27': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Into the first hydration break in East Rutherford. It is one of the hotter days of this tournament - sunny and with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius, feeling like 28 on this Thursday afternoon. The temperature will drop two degrees following the full-time whistle, at 18.00 (EDT).

30': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

The match resumes. Shots are currently 4-1 to Germany, 2-1 on target, with Julian Nagelsmann's side holding 54 % possession. Pass accuracy is even on both sides at 89 %, but Germany have completed 151 passes and Ecuador 126.

32': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata start a 3v2 counter, with Angulo in the central areas of the German half and Plata on the right side. The Sunderland winger knocks the ball short, but Plata's ensuing attempt from just inside the box is blocked by the right leg of Jonathan Tah.

34': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Pavlović threads a slicing through ball from the midfield into the Ecuadorian half, met by the right boot of Wirtz. The Liverpool midfielder then sets up Musiala with a ground pass into the left side of the box - Musiala tries to pick out the bottom-right corner, but Ordóñez times his sliding tackle well and knocks it out of play for a corner.

36': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Kimmich's far-post corner is headed away by Hincapié - Ecuador quickly clear it into the middle of the ground.

39': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Kimmich tugs the kit of Angulo to prevent an Ecuadorian breakout from the left side of their own half. The Ecuadorians win a free kick, but cannot hang onto the ball for too long as the FC Bayern wing-back takes it away from Vite.

41': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Musiala enters the left side of the Ecuadorian penalty area and sends a ground pass into a dangerous spot, hoping to find Wirtz. Ordóñez cuts to the inside angle and clears it with his sliding left boot before Wirtz could get to it.

43': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Wirtz is pulled down by his former Leverkusen teammate Hincapié, who is the first name into the book of American official Tori Penso. Pavlović commits a similar foul on Valencia in the midfield just seconds later, and the punishment that he receives is the same.

45+1': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

A total of four minutes will be added to the first half at MetLife Stadium. The first half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, between Curaçao and Côte d'Ivoire, will also finish at the same time.

45+3': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Angulo takes the ball from Kimmich on the left side of the German half, catching the DFB-Team at the best possible time with a high back line. Hincapié receives a ground pass close to the box and delivers a powerful cross near-post, but Tah clears it with a perfectly-timed slide to deflect it well away from the box.

HT: ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

The first half ends with a rough tackle on the right side of the Ecuadorian half between Havertz and Pacho, with both on the ground. Pacho, who initiated the contact from behind, appears to have come out of it worse - as the medical staff ran onto the field and were checking on his condition after the whistle went.

HT: ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Shots in the first half finished 7-2 to Germany, 2-1 on target with 62 % possession. Julian Nagelsmann's Germany also had a slightly better pass accuracy, 88 % on 296 passes compared to 86 % on 177 from Sebastián Beccacece's Ecuador.

The first half has just finished in Philadelphia, with Côte d'Ivoire leading Curaçao by a goal to none. All three goals in the opening term, between the two matches, were scored in the first ten minutes of action.

HT: ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

What are your thoughts on the match so far? Will Germany have a dominant second half, with a perfect record on the line and an opportunity to eliminate one of the most underrated sides at this tournament? Or do you believe that Ecuador will put extra pressure on the DFB-Team in the second half, knowing the current circumstances?

Let us know! Feel free to send me a message on X (kettusport) or Instagram (kettusport_), and you could see your thoughts on the match highlighted during the second half of today's liveblog coverage.

HT: ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Only three German players have had a standout performance so far: Jonathan Tah at RCB, Florian Wirtz at LAM, and Leroy Sané at RAM. Wirtz is 25 / 30 in terms of passing, Sané 25 / 28, and Tah 54 / 58. On top of combining for the opening goal, Wirtz and Sané have been responsible for a majority of the crosses that Havertz and Musiala have unfortunately been unable to take advantage of so far - and on the other side of the field, Tah has been involved in numerous clearances on potential chances for Angulo, Valencia, Vite, or Plata.

46': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Angelo Stiller will replace Aleksandar Pavlović at CDM, in the first change from Julian Nagelsmann this afternoon.

Enner Valencia with the opening kick of the second half - Germany win possession back quickly, and just seconds later, Ordóñez tackles Havertz from behind on the right side of the Ecuadorian penalty area. Tori Penso awards a spot kick to Germany, but hang on - this one will be reviewed by VAR after protests from Sebastián Beccacece for an earlier foul on the part of Leroy Sané.

48': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Leroy Sané clips the left leg of Pedro Vite - thus, the penalty is nullified, and a free kick is awarded to Ecuador in the midfield. Hincapié crosses the ball far-post from the left side of the German half, hoping to find Valencia, but overhits it and Tah gets to the ball in time for a powerful clearance.

50': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Alan Franco knocks a second ball onto the field as Joshua Kimmich attempts a throw-in along the touchline. For that, the Atlético Mineiro midfielder goes right into Tori Penso's disciplinary book.

53': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Angulo passes to the right side of the box to Yeboah. The Venezia winger tries for a pass into the goal area, hoping to find Plata - but Rüdiger gets there first and hits it out for an eventually unsuccessful corner to the South American side.

56': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Hearing that Deniz Undav appears to be warming up, potentially to replace Kai Havertz at striker. Undav is the only German to have scored in both matches in this tournament - brought on as a substitute in the second half in both cases.

58': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

And that is exactly what is happening. Undav replaces Havertz at ST - and in addition, Joshua Kimmich will be replaced by Malick Thiaw at RB in the second change from Julian Nagelsmann.

This is the 24-year-old Thiaw's sixth appearance in a German kit - he was previously eligible to represent Germany, Finland, or Senegal, and made a one-time switch from the Finnish academy squads to represent the DFB-Team.

60': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Yeboah manages a short pass back to Valencia on the right side of the German half. The Pachuca forward powers a shot towards the bottom-left corner, but Neuer makes an even better save by punching it away with both hands. Ecuador have been putting pressure in this second term - this was their second shot on target, and probably their best chance since the tenth minute to jump in front.

63': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Raum with a brilliant move to evade both Hincapié and Pacho, before crossing the ball into the goal area. Galíndez grabs onto the ball with both hands before Undav could reach it for a header.

Ecuador will make two changes, with Ángelo Preciado and Kevin Rodríguez replacing Alan Franco and Enner Valencia at RB and ST. Felix Nmecha will also be replaced by Maximilian Beier at CDM.

65': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY
UPDATE: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Côte d’Ivoire are one step closer to eliminating Curaçao and securing the second direct spot from Group E, as Nicolas Pepe has his second of the day. Ibrahim Sangaré with the assist. The table now looks like this:
1. Germany (2-1-0, 7 pts) 10-3
2. Côte d’Ivoire (2-0-1, 6 pts) 4-2
3. Ecuador (0-2-1, 2 pts) 1-2
4. Curaçao (0-1-2, 1 pt) 1-9

67': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Second hydration break begins at MetLife Stadium. The attendance is registered at 80 663, full capacity. Unlike Germany's other matches in Houston and Toronto, the opposing supporters have been the more vocal bunch today, despite there being a pretty good number of German fans in attendance - the Ecuadorian section has been in full voice throughout the afternoon, and it can only be expected that they reach their peak as we get closer to the full-time whistle.

70': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Piero Hincapié is replaced by Pervis Estupiñán at LB within Sebastián Beccacece's 4-4-2. Play resumes following the water break.

72': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

Some miscommunication there from Tah and Neuer nearly leads to Valencia tapping the ball into a wide open net. The Pachuca forward could not get a good angle at the moment that he receives the ball on the left side of the goal area, and taps it to the other side of the goalmouth as a result. Rüdiger and Plata race into the open space, with the Flamengo winger blasting it over the bar while under pressure from the sliding Real Madrid centre-back.

74': ECUADOR 1-1 GERMANY

The fifth and final change for Julian Nagelsmann's German side sees Florian Wirtz exit at LAM, with Pascal Groß as his replacement. This is the first FIFA World Cup appearance for the 35-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, who only got his first call-up to the senior national team in 2023.

77': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
ECUADOR GOAL
G. Plata (assist: K. Rodríguez)

Ecuador in front.

Kevin Rodríguez flicks Moisés Caicedo's corner into the right side of the goal area. Gonzalo Plata meets it with a high boot in front of Manuel Neuer, tapping the ball past the veteran goalkeeper and into the right side of the goal. Sebastián Beccacece's Ecuador take the lead when they really need it, improving to four points and almost certainly going to the knockouts if this score remains the same at full-time.

79': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

With that goal, Germany are now level for first with Côte d’Ivoire, but have already won the group on the H2H tiebreaker. Ecuador would qualify for the knockout stages with this result:
1. Germany (2-0-1, 6 pts) 10-4
2. Côte d’Ivoire (2-0-1, 6 pts) 4-2
3. Ecuador (1-1-1, 4 pts) 2-2
4. Curaçao (0-1-2, 1 pt) 1-9

82': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

The job is not completely done for Ecuador yet, as a late German goal would effectively eliminate them from the tournament - just one bounce into their own net would be the difference between knockout qualification and an early exit. Thus, they continue to put pressure - with Valencia's recent breakout to the edge of the box cleared by Tah.

84': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

Nilson Angulo and John Yeboah will be replaced by Félix Torres and Jordy Caicedo at LM and RM within the Ecuadorian 4-4-2. That is the last of the maximum ten combined changes between the two sides.

87': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

Estupiñán fouls Beier on the right side, close to the corner flag. Free kick to Germany, Kimmich takes it - but Estupiñán momentarily redeems himself by heading it away for a corner at the same flag.

90+1': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

The ensuing corner is cleared, but Germany win another set piece shortly after - as Plata fouls Musiala. Kimmich with another near-post delivery, but Ordóñez clears it in time and Ecuador will have some time to regroup. They are not quite out of the woods yet, with Germany continuing to attack from the wings in the final minutes.

7 minutes will be added to the 90 here, 6 in Philadelphia.

90+3': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY

Undav comes incredibly close to a late equaliser - getting a left-footed attempt from a tough angle on the left side of the box past both Félix Torres and Hernán Galíndez, but off the side netting!

90+5': ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Nicolas Pepe with both goals as the full-time whistle goes in Philadelphia. Côte d’Ivoire secure second in Group E and will be going to the knockouts, and Curaçao are eliminated in their debut appearance. Ecuador control their own fate now, with just three words summarising it perfectly:

Do not concede.

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Ecuador defeat Germany by two goals to one in East Rutherford, avoiding a massive scare and qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They finish third in Group E with a 1-1-1 record; Germany finish top of the group with a 2-0-1 record.

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finishes like so. Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador qualify, with Curaçao eliminated:
1. Germany (2-0-1, 6 pts) 10-4
2. Côte d’Ivoire (2-0-1, 6 pts) 4-2
3. Ecuador (1-1-1, 4 pts) 2-2
4. Curaçao (0-1-2, 1 pt) 1-9

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Germany will play the third place team from Group A, B, C, D, or F on Monday in Foxborough - kickoff for that one is at 16.30 (EDT) / 22.30 (CET).

Côte d'Ivoire will play the runner-up of Group I, the loser of tomorrow's Norway - France match, on Tuesday at 12.00 (CDT) / 19.00 (CET) in Houston.

Ecuador will face one of three opponents:
- Mexico on Tuesday at 19.00 (CST) Tuesday / 03.00 (CET) Wednesday in Mexico City,
- The first-place team from Group L, which can be any of England, Ghana, or Croatia, on Wednesday at 12.00 (EDT) / 18.00 (CET) in Atlanta,
- Switzerland at 20.00 (CST) next Thursday / 04.00 (CET) next Friday in Vancouver.

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Second half statistics finished 5-4 to Ecuador, 2-1 on target despite holding 40 % possession. Germany managed a 7 % better passing accuracy, 86 % on 221 to 79 % on 136 for Ecuador.

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

And overall, Germany outshot Ecuador 11-7, but shots on target were an even 3-3. Germany held 61 % possession and finished with a better passing accuracy by just 4 % - 87 % on 517 to 83 % on 313.

FT: ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY
FT: CURAÇAO 0-2 CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Liveblog coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the Bulinews website will continue into the Round of 32 on Monday, starting at 16.00 (EDT) / 22.00 (CET) as the German national team will face a third place opponent, still to be determined, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

That is it for this liveblog. For post-match coverage, stay on the Bulinews website as reactions come in from the press conferences - and join us on Monday for the Round of 32, with the liveblog of that match set for 16.00 (EDT) / 22.00 (CET). Thanks so much for reading, have a good night and see you then.