Germanys final Group E game against Ecuador made a lightning start with both teams finding the net inside nine minutes at the New York New Jersey Stadium.Leroy Sane opened the scoring with a clinical finish with less than two minutes played before Nilson Angulos long-range strike saw the stadium, made up an estimated 50,000 Ecuador fans, erupt as the South Americans hopes of reaching the knockout stages were given new life.It took Germany just two minutes to open the scoring but Sanes goal arguably should not have stood.Liverpool playermaker Florian Wirtz put it on a plate for Sane to wrap it home inside the box with the ruthless finish to put the Germans on their way to maximum points in Group E.But Ecuador, who need a win to reach the round of 32, were left incensed that the goal was not ruled out for a high poot on Aleksander Pavlovic in the build-up.The midfielders foot went high to win the ball ahead of Pedro Vite, seemingly catching the defender on his way to doing so.But just when it looked like Ecuador who realistically need a win to progress were in for a long afternoon, La Tri finally opened their account at the tournament through a wonderful strike from Sunderlands Angulo.The winger caught goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out with a nice strike from distance which firmly puy Ecuador well in the race for the round of 32, but they are still heading out as it stands. Table of ContentsWhere to watch Ecuador v Germany: TV channel, live online streamsWorld Cup 2026: Ecuador v Germany statsEcuador team newsGermany team newsWhere to watch Ecuador v Germany: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Thursday is at 21:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app andBBC Sportwebsite.World Cup 2026: Ecuador v Germany statsEcuador started the finals as one of four nations with an even goal difference in World Cup history, alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland and East GermanyThis is Ecuadors fifth participation at a World Cup. The only time they reached the knockout stage was in 2006, when they were eliminated by England in the last 16Ecuador finished second behind Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, equalling their best-ever performance in such a campaign for the tournament (also 2002)They had the strongest defense in the section, conceding five goals across 18 matches, and lost the fewest games (2 away defeats, against Argentina and Brazil)Valencia scored three goals each at the 2014 and 2022 finals and was involved in more than half of Ecuadors goals in qualifying, scoring six and assisting twoSebastian Beccacece is the fifth individual to lead Ecuador at a World Cup; with three Colombians and two Argentineans, including BeccaceceGermanywill enter the knockout stage for the first time since winning the World Cup 12 years agoThey recovered from a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening qualifier for this edition a first-everWorld Cupqualifying away loss to win all of their remaining matches in the campaign, signing off with a 6-0 home win over The FalconsDie Mannschaft won the tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 but were knocked out by Bulgaria in the last eight when it was held in the US 32 years agoManuel Neuerwas part of the 2014 triumph and has 126 caps. Before these finals, the goalkeepers last appearance for his country had been in a EURO 2024 quarter-final defeat by SpainThis is Julian Nagelsmanns first World Cup as head coach. At 38, he is the youngest boss to take charge of a team at the 2026 tournament, with the last head coach to win the World Cup in his 30s being Cesar Luis Menotti with Argentina in 1978 (39)Ecuador team newsEcuador XI: Galindez, Hincapie, Ordonez, Pacho, Vite, Franco, Caicedo, Yeboah, Valencia, Plata, AnguloEcuador subs: Ramirez, Valle, Torres, Estupinan, Preciado, Porozo, Medina, Alcivar, Valencia, Paez, Minda, Castillo, Rodriguez, Caicedo, ArevaloGermany team newsGermany defenderNico Schlotterbeckis out of the finals after damaging a ligament in his left ankle against Ivory Coast.Deniz Undav has scored three times from the bench and is named on the bench once again, with Havertz leading the line.Germany XI: Neuer, Rudiger, Tah, Kimmich, Raum, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Musiala, Wirtz, Sane, HavertzGermany subs: Baumann, Nbel, Anton, Thiaw, Goretzka, Leweling, Gross, Stiller, Amiri, Ouedraogo, Woltemade, Beier, Undav Topics Ecuador National Football Team Germany National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Ecuador v Germany: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 25th June, 2026 Ecuador v Germany: Confirmed line-ups as 2014 winners look for maximum points Tom Rostance 25th June, 2026 Ecuador v Germany: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Ben Miller 25th June, 2026 Germany icon Lahm slams FIFA over direction of football Mitch Fretton 23rd June, 2026 Haaland eyes France decider: Ill definitely get criticism Ben Miller 23rd June, 2026 Nagelsmann says Germany will miss defender enormously as injury blow confirmed Nicholas McGee 22nd June, 2026
