SAN FRANCISCO, November 17, (THEWILL) – Colombia conceded six goals in a World Cup qualifier for the first time since 1977 on Tuesday as they were trounced 6-1 to a superb display from Ecuador in Quito in their Round 4 CONMEBOL qualifying series.
Coincidentally, six goals were as many as the hosts had scored in their previous 16 games against their neighbours. Only to come against them on Tuesday with six in one go.
La Tri of Ecuador, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, netted four goals in the first half. Robert Arboleda’s seventh minute opener was added to two minutes later by an Ángel Mena goal.
Then, just after the half hour mark, Michael Estrada made it three to be followed in seven minutes by Xavier Arreaga who had provided the assist to Mena for the second goal. Only for a James Rodriguez penalty to cut a piece off the deficit just seconds before halftime.
Los Cafeteros of Colombia, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Uruguay last week, continued to struggle as the second period progressed. And with 12 minutes of the game left, Gonzalo Plata restored Ecuador’s four-goal advantage. However, for his ostentatious celebration, he was cautioned by the referee and sent off as it was his second yellow.
Pervis Estupinan completed the rout in the final minute of the match to ensure a miserable day for Colombia.
With the result, Ecuador cemented their place, sitting pretty in third place, among the early pacesetters in the South American qualifying series for Qatar 2022 with nine points from their first four games.
In the CONMEBOL system, the top four teams in the 10-team South American group qualify automatically for the World Cup. The fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff to determine a final inclusion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
