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Ecuador President Daniel Noboa has declared Friday a national holiday after the country’s football team secured a dramatic place in the World Cup knockout stage with a shock 2-1 victory over Germany.
The decision came shortly after Ecuador’s decisive Group E win on Thursday, a result that kept their tournament hopes alive after a mixed group campaign that included a defeat to the Ivory Coast and a draw against Curaçao.
“Thanks to the players and the coach who, despite the criticism, the insults, and the tough moments they went through, managed to recover and give this immense joy to the entire country. Tomorrow, a holiday! He said in a post on X.
Ecuador entered the final group match under pressure, knowing only a win would give them a realistic chance of progression. The South American side initially fell behind after conceding early against Germany, but responded with renewed intensity, overturning the deficit to secure a memorable victory.
The result triggered widespread celebrations, including scenes of jubilation among supporters at a sold-out stadium in the New York/New Jersey area, where fans witnessed one of the tournament’s most unexpected outcomes.
Despite the loss, Germany had already secured qualification as group winners prior to the match. Ivory Coast finished second in Group E after a 2-0 win over Curaçao, while Ecuador advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
The qualification marks only the second time Ecuador has reached the World Cup knockout stage, following their earlier progression in the 2006 tournament hosted in Germany. The result is widely viewed as a significant milestone in the nation’s football history, reflecting both a competitive resurgence and renewed international relevance.
