Inspired through captain Énner Valencia, Ecuador was again inspired by the World Cup on Friday in a 1-1 draw with favourites Netherlands in a La Tri match deserved to win.
Valencia a talisman at the highest level and his equalizing goal in the 49th minute against the Dutch made him the most sensible scorer of this World Cup with his third goal in Qatar.
It extended the 33-year-old veteran’s streak of scoring all six of Ecuador’s World Cup goals since the 2014 tournament.
The result eliminated host Qatar five days after the World Cup from its home, which charges around $200 billion to prepare.
The draw gave the Netherlands and Ecuador a point to move to 4 problems in Group A. He left Qatar with 0 problems after losing 3-1 to Senegal a few hours earlier.
Ecuador ruled much of the match after Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead in the 6th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. It was the fastest goal scored so far in Qatar.
Ecuador equalized when Valencia passed the ball to an empty goal after Pervis Estupiñán’s shot deflected through goalkeeper Andries Noppert. Almost the entire Ecuadorian team joined their inspiring captain in a collective celebration. He created a harsh symbol of unity by kneeling in combination in a circle pointing to the night sky of Khalifa International Stadium.
Minutes later, Ecuador came close to scoring a well-deserved winning goal when the Netherlands crossbar bounced off a left-footed pop-up shot by Gonzalo Plata.
Ecuador will face Senegal on Tuesday, needing a draw to qualify, and the Netherlands will face Qatar.
Ecuador would possibly have to do it without Valence. Se stretched off the field in the 90th minute. He was able to get up and walk on the bench, where an ice pack stuck to his right leg.
The Dutch controlled their lead well in the first half without having any other attempt at purpose before the Ecuadorian players were irritated through an imaginable draw denied in stoppage time.
When Estupiñán deflected the ball into the net swept through a crowded goal mouth, the judgment that goalkeeper Noppert’s view of the initial shot blocked through Jackson Porozo, who was offside.
Estupiñán was again restless in the meritorious goal that took advantage of an erratic play by the Dutch defense, after Noppert almost got caught in the possession of the ball for clearing weakly.
WHITE SPACE SERIES
Until Gakpo’s goal, Ecuador had conceded a goal in more than 11 hours of play, adding seven blank sheets, since March, when Argentina scored in a World Cup qualifier that ended 1-1.
The Netherlands ended their seven-game winning streak at the World Cup level. The Dutch started the first 3 games in 2010 and 2014 in Qatar by beating Senegal 2-0.