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Ecuador's forward Kevin Rodriguez and Germany's Malick Thiaw fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group E match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 25, 2026. [TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP]
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side, who had already qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup, had committed "tactical suicide" after Ecuador came from behind to beat the Germans 2-1 on Thursday.
Leroy Sane gave Group E winners Germany a perfect start by netting after two minutes but Nilson Angulo equalized seven minutes later.
With Ecuador chasing a place in the knockout round, they were the hungrier side and Gonzalo Plata scored a priceless winner on 77 minutes in New Jersey that put them in third place, which was enough for a place in the next phase.
