When referee Mary Victoria Penso blew the final whistle in New Jersey, Sebastian Beccacece clambered over the stadium barriers to embrace his family. The Argentine head coach had just watched his Ecuador side beat Germany 2-1 – a result that not only saved his job but also knocked Scotland’s World Cup hopes to the brink.
Just days earlier, a goalless draw against Curacao had sparked a verbal confrontation between members of Beccacece’s family and supporters. The 44-year-old knew the Germany game was his last chance. “We have the possibility of moving forward and, if things don’t work, I will have to leave a place I love very much but I know it’s all about results,” he said in Wednesday’s pre-match news conference.
“Sebastian Beccacece saved his Ecuador job by beating Germany 2-1, a result that crushed Scotland's World Cup hopes.”
For long stretches, defeat seemed certain. But Gonzalo Plata’s winner sparked wild scenes. Beccacece, who took charge in August 2024 after Ecuador sacked Felix Sanchez in the dressing room following a Copa America quarter-final shootout loss, had transformed a side that began World Cup qualifying with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player. His reign had started with a 1-0 defeat by Brazil, but Ecuador did not lose again in 11 matches, qualifying as South American runners-up behind Brazil.
“If Ecuador hadn’t won this game, he wouldn’t have been in the job,” former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC One. “He was looking for a reaction from his players and boy has he got one. Look at his reaction to family members, fans and friends – he deserves it. Him and his players put a shift in – they gambled, they fought, they scrapped and they’ve come out on top.”
The victory secured Ecuador’s place in the knockout stages for only the second time in history. For Scotland, however, it was a devastating blow. The Tartan Army had been relying on other results to reach the last 32 for the first time – their chances now plummeted from 42% to 5.6%.
As Ecuador’s players celebrated, Beccacece remained in the stands with his loved ones, the job that was hours from lost now his for at least one more game. “We have our feet grounded on earth,” he later said. But for one night in New Jersey, he was flying.