Chile vs Ecuador

Ecuador heads to Santiago on Tuesday for a pivotal World Cup qualifier against Chile, knowing a strong performance could edge them closer to securing their spot in the tournament.

Under Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador has been in sensational form, climbing to second place in the standings. Meanwhile, Chile finds itself back at the bottom of the table—though not completely out of contention.

La Roja had hoped this month’s qualifiers would build on their late-2024 momentum, which had briefly lifted them off the foot of the table. However, a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay—marked by a wasteful first half and a dismal second-half display—has left them in trouble.

Peru’s recent win over Bolivia pushed them above Chile once again, and September’s shock home loss to Bolivia could prove costly. While Chile is only four points behind the playoff spot, every match is now a must-win with just five games remaining.

Ricardo Gareca’s side will take some comfort in Venezuela’s recent defeat, keeping them within reach. But unless they can secure a victory against Ecuador, their hopes will fade further.

Chile has struggled against Ecuador in recent qualifiers, losing 1-0 in November 2023 and suffering a home defeat in the last World Cup cycle. Given Ecuador’s current form, the hosts face an uphill battle.

Despite starting qualifying with a three-point deduction, Ecuador is now on the verge of booking their place in the World Cup with five matches to spare—sitting as the closest challengers to dominant leaders Argentina.

After reaching the 2022 World Cup, La Tri are now aiming for back-to-back qualifications for only the second time in their history. With 22 points already, they are nearly assured of a place in the 2026 tournament.

Ecuador is unbeaten in six matches, collecting 14 points in that span. Their rock-solid defense conceded its first goal in that run only in stoppage time against Venezuela last week. With just five goals allowed in 13 games, they boast the best defensive record in qualifying—but their resolve will be tested in a challenging run-in.

Every away match will be difficult, including clashes against the bottom two—starting with Chile. Their remaining home fixtures? Only against Brazil and Argentina. The pressure is on, but Ecuador looks ready to rise to the occasion.