Ecuador ends Brazil’s long winning streak | foreign football
VideoBrazil witnessed the conclusion of a streak of 10 consecutive victories on Sunday night in the Copa America against Ecuador. At the empty Olympic Stadium in Goiania, the score became 1-1, which was the first loss for the Seleção since the team lost a friendly match against Argentina 1-0 in November 2019.
Math Editor
Last updated:
06-28-21, 09:05
The draw had no consequences for the defending champion, who was already the winner of Group B after three wins and thus assured of the quarter-finals. Ecuador also had enough by this point to enter the quarter-finals. Venezuela lost 1-0 in Brasilia to already qualified Peru and were eliminated.
Brazil coach Tite kept some of his players off the bench for the Ecuador game, as nothing was at stake for the nine-time South American champion. Neymar was comfortable for a full match, Danilo, Casemiro and Richarlison started off the bench and entered the field after the break.
Lucas Paqueta stood out the most among the Brazilians who lacked Neymar’s creativity and played without much inspiration. However, Brazil took a 1-0 lead in the first half with a header from Real Madrid defender Eder Militao.
In the second half, Brazil was surprised to continue Ecuador, who saw his courage rewarded eight minutes into the second half with the equalizing goal from a flaming diagonal shot from substitute Angel Mina. Only after Tite sent his bike into Casemiro’s midfield did Brazil regain some strength. However, neither team had any great chances, also because there was no pressure anymore as the draw was good for both Brazil and Ecuador.
Meanwhile, Peru beat Venezuela 1-0 in the Brazilian capital Brasilia with a goal from Andre Carrillo. The defeat sealed the fate of troubled Venezuela, which had to deal with a major outbreak of the coronavirus of choice at the start of the tournament and had to fly with fifteen new players. The Venezuelans were eliminated, and Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador qualified for the quarter-finals.
They will know their opponents in the quarter-finals on Monday evening, when the final round in Group A was completed. Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have already qualified, but the final encounters should determine which country will finish in which position. Argentina plays in Cuiaba against already eliminated Bolivia, and Uruguay and Paraguay meet in Rio de Janeiro.
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