Ecuador Defeats Colombia 1-0 in World Cup Qualifier

Ecuador achieved a surprising 1-0 victory over Colombia in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Enner Valencia scoring a stunning goal just seven minutes into the match. Despite playing more than an hour with ten men after Piero Hincapie's red card, Ecuador's defense held strong against Colombia's repeated attacks. The win allowed Ecuador to temporarily move into third place in the standings with 19 points, while Colombia dropped to fourth with the same total but fewer victories. Colombia's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly from Jhon Cordoba, proved detrimental to their chances of qualification. The match marked Nestor Lorenzo's first home defeat as Colombia's manager, raising concerns as they strive for a World Cup berth. Ecuador's impressive performance under Sebastian Beccacece continues to signal their growth in the tournament.