In the second round of definitions, Group E concluded with two historic qualifications, but in different contexts. When it seemed everything indicated they would finish outside, Ecuador achieved a memorable 2-1 victory over Germany to secure their hard-fought advancement to the Round of 16, a phase that Côte d'Ivoire accessed for the first time after defeating Curacao 2-0.
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
As soon as the match started, Germany would take the lead. In the 2nd minute, Florian Wirtz received the ball in the area and assisted Leory Sané for the early 1-0. Although there was doubt due to a possible prior foul by Aleksandar Pavlović on Pedro Vite, the referee would validate the conversion.
Despite the blow, Ecuador would recover almost instantly: in the 8th minute, Vite would steal the ball in the midfield and pass it to Nilson Angulo, who, after a bit of dribbling, would take a long shot that beat the experienced goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
After this frantic start, the South Americans would begin to push more in search of the goal that would turn the game around, showing more activity in pressure and offensive recovery, and generating some promising chances throughout much of the first half. However, that physical demand would start to take its toll, as they began to tire more, something that their rivals would take advantage of to pressure them towards the end of the first 45 minutes, although they also could not score.
Seconds into the second half, the Europeans would quickly get an unbeatable chance to take the lead: Joel Ordóñez would bring down Kai Havertz in the area and the referee would call a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the decision would be overturned due to a prior foul by Sané on Vite.
Several minutes later, Ecuador would chain several dangerous opportunities that would not end in a goal, including a long shot from the edge of the area by Enner Valencia that Neuer would clear, and a poor finish by Gonzalo Plata after a defensive misunderstanding and from the German goalkeeper, although they would finally reach the long-awaited 2-1. In the 76th minute, a corner would connect with the head of substitute Kevin Rodríguez, who would keep it alive in the small area for Plata to beat the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.
Although they would have chances to extend their lead, the Tri would navigate the final stretch of the match holding off Germany's attacks, which they would manage to do, thus securing their hard-fought qualification to the Round of 16.
