Leroy Sane scored in the 2nd minute and Germany apparently decided that was the whole plan, because Nilson Angulo equalised seven minutes later by walking the ball past Neuer like the lead had a return policy.

For an hour Germany sat on an idea instead of a scoreline, treating possession like a participation trophy while Ecuador kept asking pointed questions in the final third.

Gonzalo Plata answered the night in the 77th minute, and a giant that started the match like a thunderclap finished it watching the celebrations, which is exactly the kind of drama that makes 90 minutes fly by.