Ecuador closed their World Cup qualifying campaign in style with a 1-0 win over Argentina, stretching their unbeaten home run in the competition to 15 matches.
Enner Valencia was the hero in Quito, winning and converting a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time after Nicolás Otamendi was sent off for hauling him down. The goal ended La Tri’s run of five games without scoring.
Moises Caicedo’s dismissal early in the second half evened up the numbers, but Ecuador held firm against the reigning world champions.
Emiliano Martínez kept Argentina in contention with several key saves, while Giovani Lo Celso went close to an equaliser before Willian Pacho intervened.
Kevin Rodríguez spurned a late chance to seal it, though Ecuador’s victory was already assured, handing Argentina their first defeat in nine meetings between the sides. Both nations now turn their focus to next year’s finals.
