Netherlands vs. Ecuador, FIFA World Cup 2022: NED and ECU Play Out a 1-1 Draw

Enner Valencia, Ecuador’s “Superman” captain, led a spirited comeback as the South Americans drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in Group A on Friday. The result kept both teams in a solid position to advance to the round of 16, although Qatar’s qualifying prospects were eliminated.

Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead in the sixth minute with a scorching shot, but Valencia, 33, scored his third goal of the competition from a rebound in the second half to give both teams four points.

Ecuador scored early in the second half to preserve a draw against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Group A. Ecuador captain Enner Valencia’s tap-in canceled Cody Gakpo’s first-half score.

Ecuador’s comeback was almost complete when Michael Estrada’s shot bounced back off the crossbar in the 59th minute.

As a result of this outcome, Qatar has been eliminated from the tournament with one game remaining. Qatar had earlier suffered their second consecutive defeat in the competition, falling 3-1 to Senegal, and needed Ecuador to upset the Dutch to remain in contention.

Here are the line-ups:

Netherlands XI: Noppert, Dumfries, Ake, Timber, Van Dijk, Blind, de Jong, Koopmeiners, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn

Ecuador XI: Galindez; Preciado, Hincapie, Porozo, Torres, Estupinan; Caicedo, Mendez; Plata, E. Valencia, Estrada

The Squads of Ecuador and the Netherlands

Ecuador squad

Galindez, Angelo Preciado, Porozo, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Estrada, Valencia.

Subs: Arboleda, Cifuentes, Pacho, Gruezo, Ayrton Preciado, Ibarra, Ramirez, Arreaga, Mena, Sarmiento, Palacios, Franco, Dominguez, Reasco, Rodriguez.

Netherlands squad

Noppert, Timber, van Dijk, Ake, Dumfries, Koopmeiners, Frenkie de Jong, Blind, Klaassen, Gakpo, Bergwijn.

Subs: Pasveer, de Ligt, de Vrij, Luuk de Jong, Depay, Berghuis, Lang, Bijlow, de Roon, Malacia, Janssen, Weghorst, Taylor, Simons, Frimpong.