Ecuador Stuns Germany, Raising Red Flags for South Korea's Round of 32 Hopes [2026 World Cup]

[Financial News] Ecuador pulled off a shock upset over Germany, making South Korea national football team's path to the Round of 32 at the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup even more complicated. Ecuador, a rival in the race for third place in the group, moved ahead of South Korea national football team by securing four points.
Germany, led by head coach Julian Nagelsmann, suffered a 2-1 comeback loss to Ecuador in the Group E third-round match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, on the 26th (Korean time). Germany remained in first place in the group with two wins and one loss for six points, while Ecuador climbed to third with one win, one draw and one loss for four points.
The problem is South Korea national football team. South Korea national football team had previously lost 1-0 to South Africa and finished third in Group A. Its final record stands at one win and two losses for three points. In this tournament, the top eight third-place teams from each group advance to the Round of 32. With Ecuador defeating Germany and reaching four points, South Korea national football team has slipped one more step in the standings race among third-place teams.
The early momentum belonged to Germany. In the second minute of the first half, Florian Wirtz made a run into the box, and Leroy Sané opened the scoring with a left-footed shot. Germany appeared to be in control.
Ecuador, however, did not stay rattled for long. In the ninth minute, Moisés Caicedo won the ball and fed Nielsen Angulo, who curled in the equalizer with a right-footed shot from near the edge of the penalty arc. The two sides then traded quick counterattacks and physical battles, going into halftime tied 1-1.
The match was decided late in the second half. In the 33rd minute, during an Ecuador corner kick, Kevin Rodriguez headed the ball down, and Gonzalo Plata tapped it in from close range in front of goal. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had little time to react.
Ecuador held off Germany's late pressure and completed the 2-1 comeback win. Germany advanced to the knockout stage as group leader but was left with a dent in its pride, while Ecuador significantly improved its chances of reaching the Round of 32. For South Korea national football team, the result means it must watch the remaining third-place teams' results with even greater anxiety.
km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter