Ecuador has its golden generation. It is a true group of stars, one of the best in its history, enviable in this part of the world. Argentina, of course, plays in another league, but we must consider their names to establish the dimension of the data. Ecuador has it all and also achieved a historic 2-1 victory against Germany this Thursday which classified him to the 16th finals of the World Cup. Sebastian BeccaceceArgentine coach, was looked askance by most of the Ecuadorian fans, but he scored a goal that unleashed a crazy celebration, one of those that is never forgotten.
Piero Hincapié He defends Arsenal, the Premier League champion, runner-up in the Champions League. Willian Pacho He is an essential for PSG, the best club in the world. Nilson Angulo (he broke it all) stands out at Sunderland. Moisés Caicedo He is Chelsea’s pac man, Enzo Fernández’s ideal partner.
Most of the starters play in Europe and they are essential in this part of the world, as Gonzalo Platain Flamengo. The hero, in short, the author of the 2-1. The substitutes play in the same tune. Pervis Estupiñán It is held in Milan. And so many others. They spied on the Argentine coach with suspicion. There were 12 minutes left and he said goodbye to the World Cup. He had lost to the Ivory Coast without deserving it, he collided head-on with the Curacao goalkeeper, creating 16 goal chances but he could not win. He should have scored. “We have one more life,” he had shouted to them in the center circle as a harangue for what was to come, while the whistles fell after the disappointing goalless draw with the South African team.
Until a touch on the goal Gonzalo Plata in the face of Manuel Neuer after a corner sent from the right to the near post that was combed by Rodríguez transformed the failure into a heroic performance. Because it was eliminated, Ecuador. He was playing with Germany, one of the greatest, despite the fact that their three lines are shaky, and they had started losing, almost from the locker room.
The Argentine coach was packing his bags. Now, you are left with a taste of extraordinary greatness. Long live football! The 2-1 victory over the German giant (the best in its history?) It took him to the round of 16. It was a gala show (one more of a sensational World Cup), in New Jersey in front of 80,000 people, at the close of Group E.
When the task was finished, the Argentine driver greeted his family, becoming an accomplice of the coaching staff. Tears of happiness, as only football can offer. Ecuador did it all. He played with courage, ambition, Caicedo devoured the midfield, the defense was rocky and up there, Angulo played like he was in a Guayaquil pasture. And something else: he was saved by the magical hands of Hernán Galindezwhen necessary.
In the other game, Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 and finished in second place. The South American team came third. “If it is not possible, as I said, I am responsible and I will have to leave a place that I love very much. If I have to die it will be to die standing“I will never live on my knees,” Beccacece had warned, which did not enter the hearts of the fans. And now?
“I don’t have to change too much, I have to strengthen, insist on an idea that brought us here,” he had said. It was worth it: the team gave their lives for the cause. Ecuador attacked, insisted, took over the game against the giant… who won from the second minute. The merit is threefold.
The meeting was even, entertaining, frenetic: a sample of the best of a World Cup that is played in full orchestra. Two goals came in the first half. Leroy Saneleft-footed, against a post, opened the scoring; Ecuador claimed a previous foul on Vita, on a Pavlovic hat that grazed the head with his boots.
After a while, Nilson Angulo, a crack project with small doses of old Neymarestablished a bomb against a stick. It seemed like a late reaction from Manuel Neuer and a heavy defense, lack of time and distance. Quite a symptom to take into account in what is to come: Germany marks carefree.
With the Argentine coach’s script, Ecuador captured the ball and took control. Forward, always. Germany felt a little surprised, uncomfortable, but he hardly ever tickled him. But he was alive. A team as bold as it is not very offensive.
The VAR saved him after an erroneous decision by Tori Penso, the United States judgewho had been awarded a penalty for a non-existent foul on Kai Havertz, but before, at the start of the play, there was an obvious infringement on Pedro Vite.
Julian NagelsmannGermany’s coach, had already brought out some of his figures. They were not Aleksandar Pavlović, Felix Nmecha, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz. However, the substitutes are excellent. The South American team ended a streak of 11 consecutive wins.
Awesome.
“Historical”, reply the Ecuadorian mediawho can’t believe it either. They had been exaggeratedly critical of the Argentine coach, beyond the generation of stars he had in front of his eyes. Ecuador gave a message to the world… and Germany must analyze everything. Suddenly, he was lost in his own room. He was locked up.
“If you can, yes you can!”. The Ecuadorian fans say goodbye in tears. They hug each other, pinch each other. Football is a box of surprises. Ecuador is still in the World Cup race: it has just completed its masterpiece.
