The confrontation between the national teams of Ecuador and Peru in the second round of the group stage of Quartet B was to be decisive for both teams. It was these teams, according to the forecasts of specialists, who had to fight for the second place in the group where Brazil is playing.
The match between the national teams of Peru and Ecuador turned out to be exciting and intense. Despite the fact that the Ecuadorians had a statistical advantage, the meeting was held as a confrontation between completely equal teams. Ecuadorian footballers were twice as likely to hit the opponents' goal (18 versus 9), while only every third kick of each team reached the goal line. In possession of the ball, the advantage was on the side of the Ecuadorians (56% to 44%). However, the outcome of the match is determined by the numbers on the scoreboard, not statistics.
Already in the 5th minute of the meeting, the score was opened by the Peruvians. Christian Cueva left no chance for Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. In the 13th minute, Edison Flores was able to double the lead of the national team of Peru. After conceding two goals, it seemed that the Ecuadorian national team had little chance of scoring at least some points in the match, but football is often unpredictable.
Ecuadorian footballers in the second half of the first half began to act more actively, resulting in a goal by Enner Valencia six minutes before the end of the first half of the meeting. Having received a pass in the penalty area, the Ecuadorian accurately shot past the goalkeeper of the Peru national team, leaving the latter no chance. At the break, the teams left with the Peruvians' advantage in one goal.
The second half of the meeting began with a slight advantage of the Ecuadorians. This was due to the score on the scoreboard. The attacking players' initiative was rewarded in the 48th minute. Miller Bolaños compares the numbers on the scoreboard - 2: 2.
The rest of the match, the teams were unable to hit the other's goal, although they had good chances for this. The final score of the match 2: 2 looks fair. The Peruvians started the meeting well, and the Ecuadorian players were able to show their character and turn the tide of the confrontation.
As a result of the meeting, the players of Peru gain four points after two rounds, the Ecuadorians have two points. However, the latter's chances of qualifying from the group look more preferable, since in the final match of Group B, the rivals of Ecuador will be the national team of Haiti, and the Peruvians will play with Brazil.
