Ecuador's Enner Valencia celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Patricio Teran)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ecuador defeated Venezuela 2-1 and moved into second place in South American World Cup qualifying on Friday, edging close to reaching the tournament once again.
Ecuador started the competition with a three-point deficit due to fielding Byron Castillo, who was actually Colombian and ineligible to play in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Now, the team is only three points behind leader Argentina.