Ecuador v Germany - World Cup result as La Tri fight back for win to qualify for knockout stages for second time

Ecuador fought back to beat Germany 2-1 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for only the second time in their history.

The South American side needed all three points to qualify, having failed to score in their opening group games with only a point against Curacao to show for their efforts.

And they had a mountain to climb when, inside two minutes, Leroy Sane slotted home a controversial opener for Germany, as Aleksander Pavlovic appeared to make contact with a high boot in the build-up.

But five minutes later Ecuador had their first goal of the competition as Nilson Angulo's rifled effort from outside the box beat a diving Manuel Neuer, sending tens of thousands of Ecuador fans inside the ground into ecstasy.

Germany, who had already qualified as group winners, kept up the pressure and were awarded a penalty at the beginning of the second half that was swiftly ruled out by VAR due to a foul in the build-up.

Needing all three points to save their tournament, Ecuador went in search of a winner while Germany became sloppy, with little to play for with top spot in Group E already secured.

And that moment came in the 83rd minute when a Kevin Rodriguez flick from a corner found Gonzalo Plata inside the six-yard box, his leg beating Neuer's gloves to the ball.

Cue pandemonium, while Germany applied late pressure as they went in search of an equaliser that never came.

Ecuador's players fell to the floor when the whistle blew, as they had secured third spot in Group E, with four points enough to send them into the round of 32.

As things stand, Ecuador will be taking on England in the round of 32.

England knocked out Ecuador the last time the South American side reached the knockout stages in 2006.

However, nothing is set in stone just yet with plenty of matches left to play in the group stages before the next round of fixtures are locked in.

Ecuador are into the knockout stages for only the second time in their history, beating four-time champions Germany to get there.

It's well deserved.

Excellent goals from Angulo and Plata cancelled out Sane's opener to secure the win. Ecuador finished in third in Group E, but with four points that sent them into the round of 32.

THEY'VE DONE IT!

It's absolute chaos in the MetLife. Against all odds, 1-0 down after 2 minutes, needing a win against Germany.

Manager Sebastian Beccacece is in the stands hugging his family, all of them in tears.

The players are in pieces.

Rodriguez is pulled back by Baumann and Ecuador now have a free kick on the edge of the Germany box.

Seconds left!

This is too much for some. Tears in the eyes of some Ecuador fans.

It's too much to bare! Germany have a throw and Estupinan clears for another throw. Ecuador just cannot clear.

Gross turns and hits a shot high and wide. That will eat up a bit of time!

Germany are probing for a way through here. Ecuador are throwing bodies in the way, smashing it clear. Neuer in typical form is miles off his line.

Gross pokes into Undav's path and the striker makes space before smashing into the side netting.

So close!

Seven minutes for the neutral, seven years for the Ecuadorian.

It's a poor tackle from Plata that gives Germany a dangerous free-kick on the left. They are really going for the party-killing equaliser here.

Ecuador make two more changes.

Jordy Caicedo is on for Angulo, Torres is on for Yeboah.

Neuer thought he had an easy catch on his hands for that goal, but Plata had other ideas, beating him to it and finding the net.

Yeboah surges down the right and it's a vital intervention from Stiller to stop this place turning into a real party stadium.

The MetLife may as well be central Quito right now. It's deafening.

Ecuador are still on top too and looking for a third.

As things stand they are through as one of the best third-placed teams.

CHAOS! ABSOLUTE CHAOS!

Rodriguez flicks on a corner and Plata is there to smash it into the net. The stadium goes absolutely crazy. Pandemonium.

Neuer made a hash of it. As things stand, Ecuador go through.

Sané should surely win it here as Undav puts the Bayern man through on goal, but his scuffed shot is collected by Galindez with ease.

Wirtz has had a quiet second half and leaves the pitch for Brighton man Gross.

IS THAT THE CHANCE?

Neuer and Tah get all in a mix, leaving Plata with a golden opportunity to take the lead, but he can't get enough on the ball and slips it wide.

Head in hands!

Just one shot on target in the second half, Valencia's effort parried by Neuer. Cagey stuff.