Guaranteed to finish in first place in its group B, Brazil welcomed Ecuador to Goiania without any real pressure. Tite took the opportunity to do a staff review, leaving in particular on the bench Neymar, Thiago Silva or Casemiro to give playing time to Lucas Paqueta, Gabriel Barbosa or Douglas Luiz. La Seleção conceded the first chance of the game, inspired by Enner Valencia.
–
The Ecuadorian striker attempted a lob from afar, but the leather passed just above the cages of Alisson (11th). The Auriverdes then reacted. Lucas Paqueta sent a shot well captured by Hernan Ismael Galindez (13th). Moments later, Gabigol, well launched by Paqueta, was also dangerous (19th). Lyonnais Paqueta, decidedly very active in the first period, sent a shot from close to side (27th). By dint of pushing, Tite’s men would eventually find the fault.
Paqueta active, Militão scorer
On a free kick kicked by Everton, Éder Militão rose higher than everyone else and catapulted the ball with his head into the Ecuadorian skylight (1-0, 36 ‘). Upon returning from the locker room, Valencia sounded the revolt. On a corner badly returned by the Brazilian defense, he deflected for Angel Mena, whose cross strike left no chance for Alisson (1-1, 53rd). This same Mena sent a last thrill to the Auriverde rearguard, releasing a free kick that grazed the bar of the Liverpool goalkeeper (79th).
Final score (1-1) and first place in the group assured for Brazil, with 10 points. Ecuador, 3 points, also counts its ticket thanks to this point because, at the same time, Peru beat Venezuela (1-0), well helped by the stops of Pedro Gallese (13th, 17th, 90th + 4 ) and the foxing goal from the surfaces of André Carrillo (48th). The protected Ricardo Gareca, 7 points, will also see the quarters, just like Colombia, 4 points. Venezuela, 2 points, is eliminated.
–
