Ecuador moves into 2nd place in World Cup qualifiers with win over Venezuela in Quito
With two goals by Enner Valencia, Ecuador beat Venezuela 2-1 Friday in Quito to move into second place, behind world champion Argentina, in South American 2026 World Cup qualifier competition.
Ecuador celebrates the first goal by Enner Valencia Friday in Quito.
Valencia broke through the Venezuelan defense in the 39th minute and scored with a powerful right-footed shot from an acute angle. In the first minute of the second half, he added the second after a run on the left flank ending in a poach-shot over goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
In a dominant performance, the star striker just missed a third goal at the 69-minute mark.
Venezuela, overpowered for most of the game, scored on a bicycle kick by Jhonder CĂ¡diz following a corner kick at the beginning of extra time.
Ecuador’s second-place position is especially impressive considering it began World Cup qualifiers with a three-point deficit. FIFA penalized the team for playing Byron Castillo, a native of Colombia, during the 2022 qualifiers.
Through 13 qualifier games, Ecuador has exhibited a smothering defense, yielding only five goals, the lowest among all South American teams. Valencia has been the team’s most consistent scorer, with eight goals.
Ecuador plays Chile Tuesday in Santiago.
Venezuela has not won for nine straight games and remains in eighth place. The team still has a chance of qualifying for the first time in history. It takes on 9th place Peru Tuesday at home.
