Plata’s golden touch against Germany sends Ecuador into knockout stages

Sí se puede, yes we can, was the chant that rang out from the sea of 55,000 yellow shirts in New York as Ecuador’s final group match kicked off.

Despite a flat start to their World Cup campaign, there was a genuine belief that an upset against a full-strength Germany was possible. They had no other choice: having been shut out by Eloy Room’s heroics for Curaçao, Sebastián Beccacece’s side had to win to progress. Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute strike sparked wild and emotional celebrations, assuring their place in the round of 32 as a best third-place team – and a first knockout match since 2006.

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