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Ecuador advances to World Cup knockout rounds, beats Germany 2-1 on Plata's 77th-minute goal
By Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
A little flick of Gonzalo Plata’s big toe helped Ecuador make a great escape.Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute and lifted Ecuador to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday and into the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.“Life is diff...
Key takeaway We suffered a lot," said Plata, a 25-year-old winger who scored his ninth international goal.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For San Antonio's sizable Ecuadorian community, Gonzalo Plata's game-winning goal is a source of pride and excitement. Many locals gathered to watch the match, cheering on their team as they advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2006. The victory is especially sweet given Ecuador's tough start to the tournament, and fans in Alamo Heights are eager to see how their team will fare in the next round, potentially against Mexico. The city's strong soccer culture and diverse international community make events like the World Cup a major draw, with many residents closely following the tournament and cheering on their favorite teams. As Ecuador moves forward in the competition, San Antonio's Ecuadorian community will likely be watching with bated breath, hoping their team can continue to make a deep run in the tournament.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A little flick of Gonzalo Plata’s big toe helped Ecuador make a great escape.Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute and lifted Ecuador to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday and into the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.“Life is diff...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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