ESPN.comReading: 3 minutes.
Ecuador The football team could not add 3 at home and had to draw with Colombia. It is the first draw for the trio in South American qualifiers To the 2026 World Cup.
Felix Sanchez’s side played conservatively and were unable to play perfect football to achieve the win that would allow them to climb the standings. We review 1×1 of the Ecuadorian players who played against Colombia:
Moises Ramirez: He repeated as a start with the confidence of the Spanish coach. He looked more confident compared to the duel against Bolivia and made important interventions. He saved a penalty kick from Luis Diaz in the second half.
Felix Torres: He abused the long ball to get out from the back and sometimes caused Ecuador to lose the ball easily. Moreover, it was good to ward off Colombia’s attempts.
Willian Patcho: He was the focus of the defense and tried to communicate with the central midfielders. Like Torres, he also attempted long passes without success, but was valuable in front changes to attack on the flanks.
Piero Hincapé: He did not have any major complications and was on the mark in this aspect, avoiding the advances of Jun Arias as well as James Rodriguez.
Angelo Preciado: In the first half, he was able to attack with more intensity and tried to send accurate crosses into the Colombian penalty area. It also cost him in certain parts of the match, because Luis Diaz attacked too much on that side.
Moises Caicedo: He was always brilliant in marking and accurate in passing, although he did not shine as much as in other matches. La Tri failed to combine with him initially and they jumped into midfield to attack more directly. His free kick was hit horizontally.
Carlos Gruizo: He was not precise with his passes, but he was precise with his monitoring. He received his second yellow card in the qualifiers and will miss the next match against Venezuela.
Johanner Chavez: It wasn’t easy to beat him, which is what he did in the previous match. He played very high and sometimes neglected his defensive duties, but Kevin Rodriguez was relieved.
Kendry Baez: It was on at startup, but little by little it turned off. He was Ecuador’s attacking option, but lacked communication with the attackers. He was replaced in the second half by Angel Mina.
Kevin Rodriguez: He was La Tre’s best offensive player and was extremely focused from the start. He ran to press, fought and earned reprimands in Colombia. His shot against the post was his most important action.
Inner Valencia: In the second game he was very erratic and not good at all with his passing or any chances he had. He remained in the attack due to his presence, but was canceled out by Davinson Sanchez and Carlos Cuesta.
Mina’s angel: He came on in the final half of the match instead of Baez. He came in very mobile and constantly asked for the ball to try and connect with the attack. Jogan Julio: He had little playing time, but he was not accurate in attack. His performance in the Quito League was not the same as when he played for the national team.
Jose Hurtado: He came on for the injured Preciado in the second half. With Colombia trailing so far, they had no space to overcome and create danger.
Jordi Caicedo: He tried to lead the attack after the departure of Ener Valencia, but he did not have enough time. He would receive from his back on some occasions, only to empty out with his teammate.
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