South American qualifier goes like this with Ecuador’s 1-0 win over Chile in Quito | Football | game

Ecuador escaped the thorn of dropping points at home with a 1-0 win over Chile in Quito this Tuesday in a tough sixth round of South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

At the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium, the Tricolore won with Angel Mena’s left-footed goal in the 21st minute.

The win has a taste of revenge for the Tricolors, from whom TAS deducted three points in the current tie after Chile’s complaint for improperly including Ecuadorian defender Byron Castillo on the road to Qatar-2022, with which Roja wanted to enter. Competition.

Two touches sealed the fate of the Reds, who got off to a good start and twice threatened Alexander Dominguez’s goal during the first half. The first came from Moises Caicedo, who left the ball from midfield to young Gentry Pace.

All in court! Ecuador’s victory against Chile in the qualifiers confirmed the paternity

The attacker fired a cannon shot that stopped in the palm of goalkeeper Brian Cortez. Then, as if from heaven, Mina rebounded and scored with his left boot for the Ecuadorians.

With this victory, the Tricolore are sixth in the direct classification zone with eight points, while Chile deepens its crisis and remains in last place.

Saviors

La Roja was the first to show its teeth in a lively game that ratcheted up the tension until the end. Seven minutes later, goalscorer Alexis Sanchez attempted a deep pass that took the Tricolor’s breath away, but advanced conditions curtailed his ambitions.

Three minutes later, Ecuador responded with a blocked shot from William Pacho’s cross and one of the tournament’s figures, Kevin Rodriguez, but off target.

Chile fought until the end, taking advantage of long passes and lapses by the Ecuadorian defense that failed to clear the ball.

Chile’s changes in midfield have given strength to a team that struggled for possession with Ecuador having the power to recover the ball.

Johan Julio and Leonardo Campana looked to strengthen the attack with the entry of Junior Sornoza and Rodriguez respectively.

There were other heroes in the most exciting second half of the match. Dominguez, defender Robert Arbolida and a crossbar saved Ecuador from a flurry of Chile attacks in the 88th minute. Ben Brereton, Sanchez and Victor Davila all machine-gunned against the net.

Already in the 90th year, the tricolor goalkeeper deflected a right-footed shot from Cesar Perez with his fingertips.

After a ten-month hiatus, the South American qualifiers resume next September, when Ecuador play as visitors against Brazil, in Porto Alegre on the 5th of that month, and against Peru, five days later in the Ecuadorian capital. (D)