Ecuador Declares Holiday After World Cup Victory Over Germany

Ecuador declared a national holiday on June 26 after their dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany, which allowed them to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the best third-place teams. This marks the second time Ecuador has reached the World Cup knockout round, equaling their achievement from the 2006 tournament.

President Daniel Noboa announced the holiday shortly after the match concluded. The game saw Germany's Leroi Sane score early, putting them ahead within two minutes, but Ecuador quickly equalized through Nilson Angulo, who calmly finished past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The decisive moment came from Gonzalo Plata, who scored the winning goal 13 minutes before the end of the match, completing Ecuador's memorable comeback. Noboa praised the players, coaching staff, and their ability to overcome criticism and maintain their World Cup campaign.