Ecuador win crucial point against below-par Netherlands

Ecuador managed a famous draw in their second World Cup group match, holding the heavily favored Netherlands to a 1-1 tie in Doha. Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead early on, but Enner Valencia squared things up in the second half with his third goal of the tournament.

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro made one change from their 2-0 opening day win over hosts Qatar, switching to a three-man defense, with Jackson Porozo replacing forward Romario Ibarra.

The wind was taken out of Ecuador’s sails early on, when Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead after just six minutes, scoring a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty box.

But Ecuador grew into the game and had most of the first half’s chances, with Enner Valencia working rookie Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert with a powerful effort on 32 minutes.

Ecuador even had the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time, when Pervis Estupiñán turned home a shot from close range. But the goal was ruled out, with the referee deciding that Jackson Porozo — in an offside position — had blocked Noppert’s sight.

Ecuador started the second half the way they ended the first, and got a deserved equalizing goal after 49 minutes when top goalscorer Enner Valencia tapped home a rebound after Noppert saved an Estupiñán shot from the edge of the penalty area.

They very nearly took the lead ten minutes later, when winger Gonzalo Plata saw his shot clatter off the crossbar.

Despite their pre-game favoritism, the Netherlands ended the game having made only two shots on goal, in stark contrast to Ecuador’s 13.

The draw puts Ecuador level first place in the group alongside the Netherlands, with both on four points. In the final round of Group A matches, on Tuesday, the Netherlands play the already eliminated hosts Qatar, while Ecuador go toe-to-toe with Senegal to decide who will qualify for the last 16.

• #football
• #worldCup