Ecuador stuns Germany at World Cup, international press celebrates underdog victory
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- International media celebrated Ecuador's historic victory over Germany at the World Cup, calling the Germans potential title contenders who were outmatched.
- Despite an early lead, Germany lost 1-2 to Ecuador, ending their winning streak and securing Ecuador's spot in the knockout stage.
- European and Spanish newspapers criticized Germany's performance and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, while praising Ecuador's comeback and underdog status.
International media outlets lauded Ecuador's "historic victory" over Germany in the World Cup, with many suggesting the "potential title contender" label was too ambitious for the German team. Despite taking an early lead, Germany succumbed to a 1-2 defeat against Ecuador, a result that ended their eleven-game winning streak and secured Ecuador's advancement to the knockout rounds.
Ecuador haunches its World Cup campaign back to life with a historic victory over Germany, while a Manuel Neuer howler ends the Germans' 11-game winning run.
English newspapers highlighted Ecuador's comeback after conceding an early goal. The Daily Mail noted that a "blunder by Manuel Neuer" contributed to the end of Germany's run. The Sun described Ecuador's win as "unbelievable" and a "literal early kick in the teeth," which also prevented Germany from setting a new all-time record of twelve consecutive wins. The Telegraph framed the match as Ecuador "shocking Germany" and securing a place in the last 32 with a "dramatic comeback."
Ecuador somehow kept their World Cup hopes alive, despite suffering a literal early kick in the teeth against Germany.
Italian media celebrated the underdog's success and pointed to Neuer's "uncertainty." Gazzetta dello Sport reported Ecuador's win and advancement, while also questioning Neuer's performance. Corriere dello Sport called it a "sensation" and "another beautiful fairy tale," placing Ecuador's achievement among the "heartwarming stories" of the tournament and noting it was the first time Ecuador had beaten Germany.
Ecuador shocks Germany. Ecuador faced their biggest challenge and beat Germany โ securing a place in the last 32 of the World Cup finals with a dramatic comeback.
Spanish newspapers criticized the German squad, calling the "potential title contender" label "simply a size too big" for them. Marca highlighted Plata's "golden goal" that sent Ecuador through, observing that the German team was "increasingly declining" in the tournament. AS celebrated a "heroic" Ecuador that secured a spot in the last 32 in the "dying seconds."
Ecuador celebrates: Victory against Germany and qualification for the round of 16. Plata decides the match, but what uncertainty from Neuer...
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.