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BRAZIL FRUSTRATED BY ECUADOR

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Brazil were strong favourites to win this match, but Ecuador had other ideas as both teams squared up at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico for their concluding group game in Group B of Copa America 2021.

Brazil looked rusty and lethargic for large parts of the match as several key players were left on the bench by Tite due to them having already secured qualification to the knockout stage.

 

 

Ecuador, on the other hand, knew that they had to at least match Venezuela’s result to qualify for the knockout stage and they put in a brave and inspiring performance to secure a draw – that saw them booking their place in the business end of the world’s oldest international tournament.

FootTheBall takes a look at the match in Goiania as Ecuador secured passage to the knockout stage in impressive fashion after a well-deserved 1-1 draw with current champions Brazil.

 

ECUADOR START STRONG

La Tri were obviously the minnows in this match, but they gave a good account of themselves as they made it clear that they were no pushover for the Brazilians. 

Left-back Pervis Estupinan tried to test Alisson from range as he unleashed a shot in the third minute of the match.

 

 

And eight minutes later, Ecuador’s forward Enner Valencia attempted a spectacular shot from near the centre circle as he noticed Alisson away from goal.

The Liverpool custodian was just about able to scramble back to his goal, losing his footing in the process, but Valencia’s shot – that was off-target – spared the 28-year old the blushes for the Selecao.

They were unlucky to lose midfielder Moises Caicedo early on in the first half as Angel Mena replaced him in the middle of the park after the former had suffered a knock to his knee.

 

BRAZIL GROW INTO THE MATCH…TEMPORARILY

The Brazilians, even after playing with a heavily rotated side, were able to dominate proceedings at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico as they registered 71% of the ball possession in the first half.

 

 

The Selecao were regularly knocking on the door and eventually found a way from a set-piece situation towards the end of the first half. 

Everton Soares delivered an inch-perfect ball in the Ecuador penalty area from a free kick.

And it was brilliantly met by Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao who guided it towards the top right corner of the goal to give Brazil the lead.

 

ECUADOR SECURE PRECIOUS POINT, QUALIFY FOR KO STAGE

Brazil looked like they were cruising to a win against Ecuador, but La Tri showed grit, determination and resilience as they equalised in the beginning of the second half. And it was the substitute Angel Mena who got on the score sheet for Ecuador.

Brazil were caught napping in the back as Ecuador equalised in the aftermath of a corner. The ball was initially cleared by the Brazilians, but the Ecuadorians were able to restore parity as Enner Valencia nodded the ball in the Brazilian penalty area.

 

 

And Angel Mena made no mistake as he put the ball in the back of the net with his first touch that was literally unstoppable for Alisson from such close distance.

This goal saw the tables turn in the match as the Ecuadorians pressed their foot down on the gas to peg back the five-time world champions in Guiana in Group B in Copa America 2021.

Some might have thought that Brazil would respond immediately, but it was the Ecuadorians who showcased commendable drive and motivation as they pushed for a winner that would have surely been the cherry on the cake for them.

 

 

Nevertheless a draw is enough for them to make it to the knockout stage of Copa America 2021 where they will now square up with the winners of Group A.

Brazil meanwhile continue their unbeaten run in this edition of the Copa America despite a les-than-convincing performance from a second string side in Goiania

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