Ecuador vs Germany stats and analysis: Ecuador suffocate Nagelsmann’s central overloads to earn their spot in final 32

Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to secure qualification to the knockouts, finishing third in Group E on four points, currently making them the best third-placed side.

The game got off to a fast start, as Germany made it 1-0 after just two minutes, with a dubious high foot from Aleksandar Pavlovic not being punished by VAR.

Luckily for Ecuador, they were able to get themselves back level early on, as Nilson Angulo struck it from outside the box, scoring Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament on their 40th shot taken!

In the second half, Ecuador knew what they had to do, needing three points to qualify to the next stage of the competition.

And it was through Gonzalo Plata in the 77th minute that they took the lead, reacting first to the set-piece knock on.

Ecuador suffocate Germany’s hotspot

Sebastian Beccacece set his side out in an aggressive approach both on and off the ball, looking to take the game to Germany from the get-go.

But the most impressive part of their game was the asymmetric 4-4-2 midblock, which aimed to latch onto anything Germany played through the centre.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side look to create advantages in their 3-1-6 shape on the ball, utilising three players between the lines and looking to combine in close proximity.

Ecuador set up with a brilliant plan to nullify this, starting in a 4-4-2 shape out of possession, but looking to jump out aggressively on backwards or sideways passes.

Angulo would jump to press Joshua Kimmich tucking inside, while Enner Valencia and Plata looked to screen access to Pavlovic, while still having their references to jump out.

On the opposite side, John Yeboah would follow David Raum in wider areas, while Alan Franco followed Florian Wirtz aggressively into midfield positions inside the block.

Franco looking to follow and attach to one of the Germany pocket players was key to Ecuador’s approach, as this allowed them to suffocate those central areas.

Alongside Moises Caicedo and Pedro Vite, Ecuador were extremely aggressive on any passes/carries that came inside the block.

This was then a trigger for Ecuador to look to hit on the break, attempting to get at Germany’s 3-1 rest defence structure.

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Aggressive approach on the ball

Ecuador’s approach wasn’t just aggressive off the ball though, as Beccacece set his side up to push Germany back.

Both full-backs (Franco & Piero Hincapie) would advance into the last line, while Caicedo and Vite joined the two centre-backs to manage the build up.

To deal with this, Germany had Leroy Sane dropping in to form a temporary back five, allowing Kimmich to tuck inside.

Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha, Pavlovic and Wirtz would then form a midfield line of four in front of the five, with Kai Havertz the solo striker.

However, Ecuador due to the fact they were aggressive with both full-backs joining their front four, still had the overload 6v5 on Germany’s last line.

While Ecuador didn’t necessarily carve out many chances due to their extra man on the last line, it did allow them to squeeze Germany deep.

This gave them a brilliant foundation to counter press from, as Havertz was often a solo outlet, while Caicedo and Vite were there to land on second balls.

And their equaliser came from this, after Ecuador had some sustained possession in the opposition half, Germany struggled to get out after regaining the ball.

Ecuador’s counter pressing net swarmed the ball, winning back possession and finding Angulo in space, as Sane had looked to burst forward into his nominal wing position.

Caicedo & Vite importance

The Ecuador midfield pair were superb throughout, both on the ball managing the build up, but also with their out of possession importance.

Caicedo had plenty of the ball when Germany were pinned deep, completing 37/42 passes in the opposition half and creating one big chance.

Chelsea’s midfield maestro kept things ticking in midfield on the ball, while also screening the two central defenders, making two tackles and six recoveries.

Vite found himself swapping positions with Hincapie further forwards from time to time, operating in the left half space.

The 24-year-old got the assist for Angulo’s goal, winning back possession in the counter press, while also providing two key passes.

But Vite was superb off the ball, tenacious on any central entry passes from Germany, making nine tackles, nine recoveries and winning 11/19 ground duels.

Pressure pays off

In the end, it was the sustained pressure that paid off for Ecuador in the second half, continuing with their aggressive approach.

But it wasn’t until the 77th minute the Ecuadorians got their reward, as Caicedo initially played a chipped ball in behind, forcing a blocked shot leading to a corner.

With time ticking away, Ecuador needed the set-piece to find something, as Kevin Rodriguez won first contact at the near post.

Plata was then alive to the situation, reacting first and prodding it over the keeper from close range, making it 2-1 with just over 10 minutes to play (plus added time).

Ecuador then closed up shop as they do so brilliantly, with the two central defenders eating up everything that came into the box, with Caicedo marshalling just in front, earning their spot in the final 32.

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