Chile 0–0 Ecuador Player Ratings: Chile’s Qualification Hopes Diminishes As They Fail To Break the Deadlock

Chile and Ecuador face each other after a gap of 490 days at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos for the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers. When both teams clashed against each other in the reverse fixture of the qualifiers, it was Ecuador who had the better off Chile, defeating them by a margin of one goal. Hence Ecuador will hope to continue the same spirit and get a double over Chile, while Chile would hope to seek revenge and have the final laugh of the night.

After their previous encounter, lots of things happened. Both teams come onto the pitch with contrasting experiences, with Ecuador having a 6 loss streak and Chile with 3 back-to-back losses. Their position in the Qualifiers Table is separated by miles, with the hosts struggling at the bottom of the table and the visitors comfortably seated in the second position just behind Argentina. Ecuador will aim to get a win to ease their path towards qualification and Chile will desperately aim to get three points to keep their narrow qualification possibility alive.

Though their position on the table was pathetic, the fans did not make them feel so as they stood with the team during their thick and thin. The atmosphere was electric, and the stadium was jam-packed. The fans came in to support as the 12th man, hoping to add motivation and provide a push to help their team succeed. The fans knew the assignment that a Win was not an option, it was a necessity for survival

Chile chose to adopt their usual 3-4-3 formation despite the lack of results; this setup and playstyle have managed to accomplish. Ecuador, as per their usual norms, once again experimented with a new formation, but this time they fielded themselves in the classic 4-3-3 formation.

The game began with the touch of Ecuador, and from the very first minutes a clear picture of both the team’s intent was evident. Ecuador was okay for a draw; however, Chile were desperate. Desperate to score and defend. That desperation to score laid the foundation for an early chance when Arturo Vida, who made a cross inside the box, however, did not convert as there was no one to tap in the ball.

As the match proceeded, Chile gained composure and, rather than focusing on constant attacking, they aimed at gaining possession and attacking whenever they found space. This strategy turned out to be much more effective, as Chile was able to find momentum in the game. They made some powerful shots in the likes of Osorio, Pizarro and Valdes. Though none of them found the back of the net, it clearly made Chile the better side for the first half.

Osorio missed a key chance with only the keeper in front of him, keeping the score unchanged. In the dying minutes, Valdes made a stunning header which was saved by the keeper in an even stunning manner. The ball rebounded and Valdes once again took the shot but this time once again to the rescue of Ecuador the keeper got his hands on it. With this the referee blew the whistle for the first half

In second half, things got heated with both teams making back to back fouls on their opponents when they had control over the ball. The game remained relatively and there were only two key chances in the entire second half. The half was completely dominated in the midfield and at the very dying minutes Valencia shook the net which was overruled as the player was offside.

At full time, the score was 0-0 causing tensions for Chile affecting their playoff hopes

Here are the Chile National Football Team vs Ecuador National Football Team Player Ratings:

Chile Player Ratings

GK – Brayan Cortés – 6/10

Was not at all challenged in the entire match as the Ecuador players were all busy in the defensive and midfield third of the ground. Made a flying save in the second half that was headed by the opponent from a free kick.

LB – Gabriel Suazo – 6.5/10

Was seen shifting positions multiple times with Diaz. Rather than LB role, he was seen adopting both LM and LWB positions. Supported Pizzaro by providing some important passes and through balls from the second third of the pitch.

CB – Paulo Díaz – 7.5/10

Was the backbone in the defence. Kept possession and controlled the ball without getting nerves despite of the pressure created by the Ecuador attack. Made some long switch overs to Osorio when he found that the winger was free. Had some decent interceptions and blocks stopping further progress from Ecuador.

CB – Guillermo Maripán – 7/10

Made an important recovery in the defensive third which if he missed was a sure shot goal. Made some important tackles in the second half, preventing the opponents from opening an account. Made some excellent coverages in every single attack of Ecuador.

RB – Felipe Loyola – 7/10

Was active in the right wing both as a defender and a winger, making interceptions and winning duels in the defensive third and providing accurate crosses in the attacking third.

CM – Arturo Vidal – 7/10

Made an overlapping run in the very start and made a carpet shot inside the box from the right wing. Provided some key passes inside the box that added up the momentum of Chile in the game.

CM – Rodrigo Echeverría – 6.5/10

Had the responsibility of winning duels and keeping possession. Won multiple fouls for his team, keeping the ball in their hand causing frustration among the opponents. This frustration among the opponents led to them committing even more fouls, which earned them a booking, which restricted them further in the game.

CM- Vicente Pizarro – 6/10

Created the first real chance of the match by making a recovery, taking a shot from outside the box which missed the goal by a flicker. Played a pivotal role in making dribbles and keeping the defenders busy.

LW – Diego Valdés – 6.5/10

Made a powerful header in the stoppage time of the first half which was saved by the keeper. Mounted pressure and created confusion in the attacking third causing problems for Ecuador. Had a great role in making the opponents work hectic.

RW – Darío Osorio – 6.5/10

Properly collected the long switch over from the centre back, however did not succeed in making a play from it. Took some shots from both inside and outside the, however all of them were overhit and found the target. Looked good in making recoveries, but lacked finishing

CF – Eduardo Vargas – 6.5/10

Some key crosses were made inside the box, but the striker was not present anywhere near to convert them. Whenever he made contact with the ball, he failed to control them due to the tight marking of the defence.

Sub – Luciano Cabral – 6.5/10

Sub – Charles Aránguiz – 6/10

Sub – Fernando Zampedri – 5.5/10

Sub – Esteban Pavez – 5.5/10

Coach – Ricardo Gareca – 6.5/10

Had an impressive performance with his team. Shifted strategy when he found the previous one was not effective and that change of plan positively helped the team. Made the opponents struggle; however, failed to secure the three points that were necessary for survival. However, there is still room for improvement.

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Ecuador Player Ratings

GK – Hernán Galíndez – 6/10

Was put under pressure by the constant attack by the Chile Players; however was not put into real test for most of the time as none of the ball reached the target. Made a terrific double save with his reflexes in the additional time of the first half keeping the deadlock

CB – Joel Ordóñez – 6.5/10

Stood solid at the right flank in the defensive third. However, his movement was restricted to that area only and for that reason he was relatively less productive than the other defenders.

CB – Willian Pacho – 6.5/10

Stood like a wall making important blocks. Won almost all the ariel and ground duels he was involved in the first half. Made some key blocks and interceptions. Took the responsibility of a leader, communicated well and kept the deadlock safe.

CB – Piero Hincapié – 7/10

Marshalled the defence by covering all the opponent strikers. Probably played one of his best performance and stood cool even when Chile were going all out attack.

LM – Pervis Estupiñán – 7/10

Shadowed Osorio in a brilliant manner, preventing him from moving forward with the ball. Made some important passes in the matches and was key in ensuring that the Chile players did not go past him and the halfway line.

CM – Pedro Vite – 6.5/10

Had a good game taking control over the midfield and making key passes and keeping possession with his side. Won a few duels and made some key passes too.

CM – Moisés Caicedo – 6.5/10

Supported Pedro in clearing all the ariel and ground balls and kept the Ecuador territory safe from the Chile attack. Ensured that no space was left through which any player could infiltrate.

RM – Alan Franco – 5.5/10

Had a disappointing day. Did not create a huge impact or made any key movements in the game.

LW – Darwin Guagua – 6/10

Since the match was dominated by the defensive side of Ecuador, the player rarely had any touches with the ball and for this reason was subbed off in the second half.

CF – Enner Valencia – 6.5/10

Did not have much role in the first quarter of the match. Had very few touches with the ball in the first half, and whenever he had a touch, it was immediately recovered by the opponents. Though he shook the net, it was called off as he was.

RW – Gonzalo Plata – /10

Made some shots from outside of the box which were deflected by the defensive wall. Other than that, he did not have an impact in the match. Made some clever moves and also made an intelligent tactical foul in the dying minutes making his presence in the defensive part too.

Sub – Janner Corozo – 5/10

Sub – Félix Torres – 5.5/10

Coach – Sebastián Beccacece – /10

Though he was initially surprised by the interesting strategy by Chile, he found composure among his players, providing a positive result for his team.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match is Paulo Díaz.

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