Ecuador has declared Friday a nationwide public holiday following the national football team’s stunning 2-1 victory over Germany, a result that secured the South American side a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
President Daniel Noboa announced the holiday shortly after the final whistle, hailing the players and coaching staff for overcoming adversity and delivering one of the country’s greatest football achievements.
In a message shared on social media, Noboa praised the squad’s resilience despite facing criticism throughout their campaign.
He thanked the players and coaching crew for persevering through criticism, insults, and difficult moments before declaring the following day a national holiday in celebration of the victory.
President Hails Team’s Resilience
The president’s announcement quickly sparked celebrations across the country, with Ecuadorians marking one of the most memorable victories in the nation’s football history.
Noboa credited the team’s determination and ability to silence critics on the world’s biggest stage.
Ecuador Stages Dramatic Comeback
The decisive Group E encounter at New York/New Jersey Stadium got off to the worst possible start for Ecuador after Germany took the lead through Leroy Sané just two minutes into the match.
However, Ecuador responded swiftly, with Nilson Angulo equalising in the ninth minute to restore hope and momentum.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 77th minute when Gonzalo Plata scored the winning goal, completing a remarkable comeback and sending Ecuador into the Round of 32.
Qualification Against the Odds
The victory was especially significant given Ecuador’s difficult start to the tournament.
The team had opened its World Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast before being held to a goalless draw by Curaçao, leaving victory over Germany as its only path to qualification.
By defeating the four-time world champions, Ecuador completed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and secured a place among the final 32 teams.
Historic Achievement for Ecuador
The result marks only the second time Ecuador has progressed beyond the FIFA World Cup group stage, matching the country’s previous best performance at the 2006 tournament.
The nationwide public holiday is expected to fuel celebrations across Ecuador as supporters commemorate a landmark moment in the nation’s sporting history and look ahead to the knockout rounds with renewed optimism.
