The final whistle at the New York/New Jersey Stadium triggered a presidential decree. Within minutes of Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany, President Daniel Noboa announced on social media that Friday would be a national holiday, thanking players and staff who “despite the criticism, the insults and the tough times they went through, managed to bounce back and bring this immense joy to the entire country.” The official decree suspended work across the public and private sectors, a measure not seen since the nation’s only previous advance to the knockout rounds two decades ago.

The match itself began with a jolt of controversy. Germany struck in the second minute through Leroy Sané, but Ecuador protested furiously, convinced that Aleksandar Pavlovic had caught Pedro Vite with a high boot in the build-up. Referee Tori Penso let the goal stand and VAR did not intervene. A side that had gone 40 shots without a goal in the tournament could have unravelled. Instead, seven minutes later, Vite forced a turnover and Nilson Angulo curled a shot through Pavlovic’s legs to equalise. Ecuador, liberated, began to find space in transition, forcing Manuel Neuer into alert saves as Germany’s high line was repeatedly tested.

Ecuador entered the final Group E match with no margin for error. A 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curaçao had left them bottom of the group and facing elimination. Germany had already secured top spot, yet the four-time world champions fielded a side intent on carrying momentum into the round of 32. Ecuador’s need was absolute, and the tension was palpable when a second-half penalty awarded to Germany for a foul on Kai Havertz was overturned after review showed a prior infringement by Sané.

The decisive moment arrived in the 77th minute. Substitute Kevin Rodriguez flicked on a corner and Gonzalo Plata, reacting quickest, toe-poked the ball into the net. Ecuador then retreated into a compact shape, defending every delivery with desperation and discipline through more than ten minutes of added time. When the final whistle came, players dropped to the turf and the sold-out crowd erupted. Plata later told Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV that the goal carried a personal edge, a small “revenge” against Neuer, whose Bayern Munich had eliminated his club Flamengo in the Club World Cup.

Ivory Coast’s concurrent 2-0 win over Curaçao meant Ecuador advanced as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams. It is only the second time the nation has reached the World Cup knockout phase, matching the round-of-16 appearance in Germany in 2006. Ecuador now await the conclusion of the group stage to learn their next opponent, while the country savours an unexpected day of rest.