World Cup 2026: Ecuador left furious after controversial non-call on Germany's early goal
Ecuador defeated Germany 2-1 in the World Cup, but the match was marred by a controversial non-call on an early German goal involving a high boot. Despite the frustration, Ecuador secured a knockout stage berth with a late goal by Gonzalo Plata.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the critical role of VAR in modern soccer and the intense scrutiny placed on officiating decisions during major international tournaments.
It took less than two minutes for Germany to take the lead in Thursday's group stage match against Ecuador . Off a throw-in, Germany got the ball to Leroy Sané , who sent in a lovely shot that slipped past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez.
The article focuses on the controversy but provides context on the match outcome and the role of the officiating team.
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