Ecuador President declared national holiday after team 2-1 victory over Germany

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa has declared a national holiday following a 2-1 victory over Germany, propelling the team into the World Cup last 32.

The mood across Ecuador has shifted from collective anxiety to nationwide euphoria after the national team secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Germany, punching their ticket to the 2026 World Cup knockout phase.

Following the final whistle at MetLife Stadium, President Daniel Noboa moved quickly to capitalize on the public fervor, announcing a national holiday for Friday. In a statement posted to social media, Noboa lauded the squad and head coach Sebastian Beccacece, noting that the players successfully navigated a barrage of public criticism and external pressure to deliver a result that has etched itself into the country's sporting history.

The path to the last 32 was anything but straightforward. "La Tri" entered the decisive Group E encounter reeling from a scoreless opening two matches—a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast and a frustrating 0-0 draw against Curacao. Entering the final day, the squad faced a precarious reality: only a win against a dominant German side would suffice to keep their tournament aspirations alive.

Germany took an early lead, but the narrative shifted when Nilson Angulo leveled the score in the ninth minute. The momentum remained firmly with the South Americans, culminating in Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute strike.

This result marks only the second time in history that Ecuador has advanced beyond the group stage, mirroring their 2006 performance. By securing their spot as one of the tournament’s best third-placed finishers, the team has turned their campaign around. For the citizens of Ecuador, the reward for this resilience is a rare, government-sanctioned day of celebration.