Ecuador arrived at MetLife Stadium with a disciplined 5-4-1 defensive structure and the emotional fuel of a nation desperate for a World Cup statement. Germany, one of the tournament favourites, were expected to dominate — and in terms of the ball they did — but Ecuador's organised block frustrated them for the best part of the first half. The pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when Joel Ordóñez, already booked, clipped Florian Wirtz inside the box. Enner Valencia — Ecuador's all-time top scorer and spiritual captain — stepped up and buried the penalty low to the keeper's right to send the Ecuadorian contingent inside MetLife into raptures. Germany responded with urgency after the interval. Julian Nagelsmann's half-time adjustments pushed Musiala into a freer role between the lines, and the Bayern Munich playmaker was electric. On 51 minutes, Wirtz threaded a perfectly weighted through-ball into Musiala's run, and the 22-year-old finished calmly past Galíndez. Germany pressed for the winner and found it on 78 minutes: Raum whipped a left-footed cross from deep, and Havertz rose above Piero Hincapié to power a header into the top corner. Ecuador threw bodies forward in the final ten minutes but Germany's backline, marshalled superbly by Rüdiger and Tah, held firm. A deserved German victory, though Ecuador's resilience and Valencia's moment of quality underlined why they will not be a pushover in Group E.

• Germany dominated possession (62%) but were stunned by an Enner Valencia penalty before regrouping at half-time.
• Jamal Musiala completed 5 dribbles — the most of any player on the pitch — and was the catalyst for Germany's turnaround.
• Florian Wirtz recorded 3 key passes, the highest in the match, pulling Ecuador's mid-block apart in the second half.
• Ecuador's low-block held firm for 34 minutes but conceded 1.8 xG in the second half alone.
• Kai Havertz's headed winner was Germany's 12th goal from a set-piece delivery in their last 20 competitive matches.
• David Raum's overlapping runs down the left created 4 chances — the most from open play by any defender.
• Moisés Caicedo won 9 duels, the most of any outfield player, but couldn't prevent the late winner.