Brazil player ratings vs Ecuador: Brilliant Rodrygo lifts bleak Selecao to crucial World Cup Qualifying victory
AFPRodrygo's stunning long-range strike was the difference as the Selecao earned a crucial three points in World Cup Qualifying
Rodrygo came to the rescue as Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Friday evening.
The Selecao were tested heavily by Moises Caicedo and La Tricolor, but the Real Madrid star's incredible first half goal was the difference.
Rodrygo's opener, and winner, arrived in the 30th minute off a Lucas Paqueta assist. The winger received the ball on his left foot, switched to his right and hit a 20-yard strike past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to hand the Selecao a 1-0 lead.
After a disappointing showing at Copa America 2024, which saw Brazil exit in the quarterfinals, Dorival Junior's side bounced back in their return to the pitch with a win in front of their fans.
Ecuador didn't make it easy for the home side though. The visitor's best chance of the match came in first half stoppage-time, when Chelsea midfielder Caicedo was 1v1 with Alisson, but the Liverpool shotstopper came up big with a massive save to deny him. That would be the last significant chance for La Tricolor/
With the three points, the Selecao move up the table in CONMEBOL WCQ standings to 10 points, leapfrogging La Tricolor and Venezuela from seventh to fourth place. Now, after seven matches played in the 2026 cycle, they sit on 10 points.
Brazil return to the pitch again Tuesday as they look to make it six points in two matches as Paraguay play host to the Selecao in their next World Cup Qualifier.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from Estadio Major Antonio Couto Pereira…
