When referee Mary Victoria Penso blew the final whistle in New Jersey, Ecuador head coach Sebastián Beccacece sprinted to the stands, climbed over the barriers and embraced his family in an emotional celebration.
The jubilant scenes came after Ecuador stunned four-time world champions Germany 2-1 to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stages for only the second time in the nation's history.
It was a moment of immense relief for Beccacece, whose future had appeared to hang in the balance before the decisive Group E clash.
The Argentine had revealed ahead of the match that he was prepared to step down if Ecuador failed to reach the last 32, with pressure mounting following reports of a verbal confrontation involving members of his family and supporters after the team's goalless draw against Curaçao.
"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," Beccacece said before the match.
For long stretches against Germany, it seemed both Ecuador and their manager were heading for an early exit. But a spirited second-half performance turned the game on its head, delivering one of the country's greatest World Cup victories and potentially securing Beccacece's future.
The emotional celebrations at full-time reflected not only the significance of the result but also the resilience and determination his players showed against one of football's traditional powerhouses.
"If Ecuador hadn't won this game, he wouldn't have been in the job," former England captain Alan Shearer said on BBC One.
"He was looking for a reaction from his players, and boy, did he get one. Look at his reaction with 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."
