Ecuador were the sensation of South American qualifying, finishing above Brazil and Colombia despite starting with a points deduction.
Their success owed much to their defence: a four-man demolition crew with site manager Moises Caicedo just in front. They conceded just five times in 18 games, a record so good it sounds made-up.
Their attack? Not so hot: La Tri averaged less than 0.8 goals a game. Not that you would have known it on the evidence of the first half here.
Ecuador passed the ball with patience and guile, twisting the Ivory Coast backline into a series of uncomfortable shapes. They also counter-pressed like demons, jumping on mistakes high up the pitch.
The only thing lacking was the final touch. Enner Valencia, their most reliable goalscorer by an order of magnitude, blasted a good chance over the bar after a cut-back from the left.
John Yeboah sent a curling shot onto the crossbar. Alan Minda repeated that trick just a few minutes later after a gorgeous, subtle pass by Pedro Vite.
They could, possibly should have led by a couple of goals at half-time. As the second half progressed and Ivory Coast took control, Sebastian Beccacece must have been cursing his side’s wastefulness.
