EAST RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) — Ecuador squeezed into the last 32 of the World Cup with an upset 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday, as Ivory Coast ended Curacao’s fairy-tale campaign to seal their passage to the knockout rounds.

A nail-biting Group E game between Ecuador and group winners Germany at the MetLife Stadium was settled 13 minutes from time when Gonzalo Plata jabbed home the winning goal from close range for the South Americans.

Plata’s winner came after Ecuador had recovered following Germany taking the lead from a controversial Leroy Sane goal after two minutes, before equalising through Nilson Angulo.

The result means Ecuador finished Group E with four points, guaranteeing them a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-place teams.

“The significance of this is not for me, it is for the people,” Ecuador Coach Sebastian Beccacece said after the win.

“The players gave a huge happiness to the people. We have to enjoy it and celebrate, please,” the Argentine coach added.

Germany had already been assured of winning the group after victories over Ivory Coast and Curacao.

But Coach Julian Nagelsmann was left dismayed at what he described as “tactical suicide” against Ecuador.

“We got off to a great start,” Nagelsmann said. “Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning. That makes things difficult.

Germany’s Pascal Gross (left) and Ecuador’s Pedro Vite fight for the ball during the World Cup Group E football match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, United States, on Thursday. (Photo: AFP)

“Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell — they had their foot on the gas.”

Ivory Coast meanwhile sealed the runners-up spot in Group E after eliminating Curacao in Philadelphia, Nicolas Pepe scoring twice in a 2-0 victory. It is the first time the west African nation has reached the knockout stage.

Curacao, the smallest country by population ever to play in the World Cup, depart the tournament with one point to finish bottom of the group.

On Wednesday, Brazil clinched first place in Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, where Neymar made his first international appearance since October 2023.

Scotland face an anxious wait to see if they scrape through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Co-hosts Mexico sailed into the last 32 with a 3-0 defeat of the Czech Republic in an ebullient Estadio Azteca, to wrap up a perfect Group A record.

The biggest surprise was South Africa’s qualification for the first time in their history as they pulled off a shock 1-0 win against South Korea to grab second place in Group A.