Germany, despite having already qualified for the knockout rounds and securing the top spot in Group E, experienced a shock 2-1 loss to Ecuador in their final group stage match in New Jersey. The Germans started strong, with Leroy Sané scoring just two minutes in off an assist from Florian Wirtz. However, Ecuador quickly equalized in the ninth minute with a powerful strike from Nilson Angulo, assisted by Pedro Vite, that left Manuel Neuer with no chance. This marked the ninth consecutive World Cup game where Germany has conceded a goal, and despite Neuer's recent return, they have yet to keep a clean sheet in the tournament.
The second half saw immediate controversy as a penalty awarded to Germany for a foul on Kai Havertz was overturned by VAR due to a foul by Sané in the build-up. Ecuador, desperate for a win to advance, showed greater hunger, a point acknowledged by Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann and captain Joshua Kimmich. The decisive goal came in the 77th minute from Gonzalo Plata, who redirected a flick-on from Kevin Rodríguez following a corner, completing Ecuador's comeback and securing their spot in the knockout rounds for only the second time in their history.
Nagelsmann described the team's performance as "tactical suicide" after their early lead, lamenting a lack of patience and too many turnovers that invited Ecuador to attack. He stressed the importance of minimizing turnovers and improving defensive stability for the upcoming knockout stages, stating that the team "can't afford another defeat." This loss ended Germany's impressive 11-game winning streak and prompted widespread concern among fans and players, with Kimmich noting that Ecuador "wanted to win more than us" and that the defeat was deserved.
