Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared Friday a national holiday after the country’s football team reached the World Cup knockout phase with a shock 2-1 victory over Germany.
Noboa announced the decision in a post on X, thanking the players and coach for overcoming criticism, insults and difficult moments to bring “immense joy” to the country.
Ecuador entered their final Group E match needing a victory after losing to Ivory Coast and drawing 0-0 with tournament debutants Curacao.
The South American side fell behind early against Germany but fought back to complete a remarkable comeback at a sold-out New York/New Jersey stadium.
Gonzalo Plata scored the winner in the 77th minute, stretching out his toe to poke the ball home and seal a dramatic 2-1 win over the four-time world champions.
La Tri qualify as one of best third-placed teams
Germany had already secured qualification as Group E winners before the match. Ivory Coast finished second in the group after beating Curacao 2-0.
Ecuador ended on four points and qualified as one of the best eight third-placed teams, reaching the World Cup knockout stages for only the second time in their history.
Their previous appearance in the round of 16 came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Beccacece embraced after criticism
The win marked a stunning turnaround for Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece, who only a day earlier had admitted that many Ecuador fans did not like him.
Ecuador had entered the tournament on a 19-match unbeaten streak after finishing second only to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in qualifying, raising hopes of a deep World Cup run.
But those hopes were shaken by an opening defeat to Ivory Coast and a frustrating draw against Curacao, in which Ecuador created 28 shots but failed to score.
Celebrations shake stadium
All the disappointment was forgotten after the win over Germany, as a sea of yellow shook the 80,000-seat New York/New Jersey stadium.
Beccacece sprinted up and down the touchline after both Ecuador goals and later jumped into the stands to hug supporters. He was mobbed by nearby fans just days after his family had been involved in a verbal confrontation with Ecuador supporters during the Curacao match.
Back on the pitch, Beccacece danced to Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” as Ecuador celebrated their first knockout-stage qualification in 20 years.
“I invite everyone to keep united,” he said. “That’s what we did today.”
‘Let Ecuador enjoy this moment’
The result came 20 years after Ecuador’s last World Cup meeting with Germany, when they lost 3-0 in Berlin. This time, the crowd was overwhelmingly in Ecuador’s favour, creating a memorable night for La Tri and their supporters.
Asked by a television reporter what qualification meant to him, Beccacece said the moment belonged to the people of Ecuador.
“It is not what it means for me, it’s about what it means for the people in Ecuador. So, please, let them enjoy this moment,” he said before walking away.
