Germany Close Out Group H With Fast Start Over Ecuador

Germany met Ecuador at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the final round of 2026 World Cup Group H, looking to match a historic record with a 12th straight win, after already securing first place and a knockout berth. The previous German record run was set between May 1979 and June 1980, when the team was still West Germany. Julian Nagelsmann made only two changes to the lineup, bringing in David Raum and Antonio Rüdiger for Nathaniel Brown and the injured Nico Schlotterbeck.

Ecuador arrived under pressure. Its 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast in the opening round ended a 19-match unbeaten streak, and the team still had not scored in the tournament. If Ivory Coast also beat Curacao, Ecuador would need a win to keep any hope of advancing as one of the eight best third-place teams. Despite the scoring drought and Enner Valencia’s earlier misses in a scoreless draw with Curacao, the veteran striker again started alongside Gonzalo Plata.

Germany struck almost immediately. In the second minute, Raum took a throw-in to Aleksandar Pavlovic, whose high raised leg prompted Ecuador appeals for a foul. The referee played on, Florian Wirtz fed Leroy Sane, and Sane finished from the center of the box into the near corner for 1-0. The match was officiated by American referee Tori Penso.

Germany’s lineup also included Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Wirtz. Ecuador, coached by Sebastian Beccacece, lined up in a 4-4-2 with Hernan Galindez in goal and Moises Caicedo in midfield. The standings showed Germany first with 6 points and a 9-2 goal difference, Ivory Coast second with 3 points, and Ecuador and Curacao on 1 point each. The article also listed the knockout schedule, with the round of 32 starting on June 28 and the final set for July 19.