Summary: This Tuesday (19), Ecuador defeated Colombia by 1-0 in a match valid for the 12th round of the World Cup Qualifiers. The goal by Enner Valencia early in the game, along with the saves from Elher Hernán Galíndez, who shone with great interventions, were crucial for Ecuador to maintain the lead, even with one player less for over 60 minutes of the match.
With this victory, Ecuador surpassed Colombia in the standings, reaching 19 points and climbing to 3rd place. On the other hand, Colombia, due to the defeat, fell to 4th place, thus losing the opportunity to temporarily take the vice-leadership.
Key Moments of the Match:
First Half
The match started with a big scare for the Colombians at the 6th minute. Enner Valencia dribbled past two defenders inside the area and calmly opened the scoring for Ecuador. Shortly after, Colombia had a great chance with Córdoba, who, after receiving a perfect cross from James Rodríguez, missed a clear opportunity to equalize, sending the ball over the empty goal. After the scare, defender Pierrick Hinckapié from Ecuador was sent off after a hard foul, leaving the Ecuadorian team with one player less.
Second Half
In the second half, Colombia sought to apply more pressure. Córdoba had a good chance with a header early on, but goalkeeper Galíndez made a secure save. Later, John Arias also tried, but the Ecuadorian goalkeeper appeared again with an important save. As time went on, Colombia failed to break through the Ecuadorian defense and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for Ecuador.
Match Statistics
Colombia 0 x 1 Ecuador
Date and Time: November 19, 2024, at 8 PM (Brasília time)
Venue: Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla (COL)
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Davinson Sánchez, Muñoz, John Lucumí and Johan Mojica; Richard Ríos and John Arias, Portilla; James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Jon Córdoba. Coach: Néstor Lorenzo
Ecuador: Hernán Galíndez; Ordóñez, William Pacho and Piero Hincapié; Alan Franco, Moisés Caicedo and Pervis Estupiñán; Vite, Minda; Gonzalo Plata and Enner Valencia. Coach: Sebastián Beccacece
Goal: Enner Valencia, at 6 minutes of the 1st half (0-1)
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (URU)
Assistants: Carlos Barbero (URU) and Horacio Ferreiro (URU)
VAR: Andrés Cunha
Yellow Cards: Lucumí, Portilla, Jon Durán (COL); Moisés Caicedo (EQU)
Red Card: Hincapié (EQU)
Upcoming Matches
Ecuador: On November 22, 2024, at 9 PM (Brasília time), Ecuador will face Brazil at the Banco Pichincha Stadium in Guayaquil, X Ecuador.
Colombia: On November 23, 2024, Colombia will play a friendly match against Mexico.
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