Ecuador, why is it the team that knows how to fight against all odds in Qatar 2022 | CHRONICLE

Ecuador He doesn’t have the odds in his favor, but he knows how to deal with it perfectly. At his debut in Qatar 2022demolished historical myths by beating the host in the opening match -a feat never achieved before- and now they got a very important tie against the Netherlands (1-1), who started as favorites to win, but almost lost it.

In fact, the Dutch team was clear about their intentions to succeed from the start. With the early goal by Cody Gakpo (6′) he even announced a win. But things did not turn out as he expected.

Ecuador, which had already left quite positive impressions in its debut, did not give up with a 1-0 down. Gustavo Alfaro was not going to allow it, which is why his players did not lower their arms at any time. On the contrary, they sought to tie as quickly as possible.

Thus, the ‘Tri’ generated numerous attacks, often putting the Netherlands in trouble, which is far from its best level. The goal was going to come at any time, but not in the first half. Bad luck then.

And it is that Pervis Estupiñán, from a great game, managed to embed the ball in the rival goal, but his goal was canceled because one of his teammates who was offside clouded the vision of the Dutch goalkeeper. The left-back did not understand what had happened at the time; they had to explain it to him.

Already in the second half, Ecuador jumped flush with the field with the same commendable attitude of the first. The Netherlands, for their part, remained withdrawn in their field with few options to increase the advantage. Then, it was only a matter of a few minutes for the equalizing goal to arrive. So it was.

Just four minutes after starting the second half, Enner Valencia -in a state of grace- took advantage of his moment of inspiration to score the 1-1 rebound, which reaffirms him as the World Cup goalscorer and allows him to continue writing glorious chapters with your selection.

Ecuador, not satisfied with the draw, went looking for more. Defensively he did not have many difficulties; offensively he was close to rejoicing. Only the post of the rival goal, after a great shot by Gonzalo Plata, prevented the ‘Tri’ from getting the three points they fully deserved.

Be that as it may, Alfaro’s team continues to rise to any challenge. It’s not Argentina or Brazil -the two South American candidates-, but he longs for first place in his group as much as for both teams. At least closer to achieving it than the ‘Albiceleste’ is.

They already knocked out the host, they already beat all the odds against them against the Netherlands and now they have to ratify their pass to the round of 16 against Senegal. Chances have plenty. This team can put up a fight against even the most fearsome teams in the World Cup. Gustavo Alfaro and “his Spartan warriors” have shown it more than once.