Colombia defeats Ecuador and moves closer to the semifinals
Won 5-3 and will decide its qualification in the final match against Chile.
- Second victory for Alzate’s team.
- Ecuador closed its participation in the Group Stage.
After losing to Uruguay on penalties, Colombia secured an important victory against Ecuador, putting itself in a strong position and depending on its own results heading into the final match.
The Cafeteros quickly opened the scoring through Sebastián Hernández. Ecuador’s equalizer, scored by Vélez, didn’t last long as Clavijo netted a great header to regain the lead and take a 2-1 advantage into the first break.
At the start of the second period, De Ávila extended Colombia’s lead. But Ecuador’s star player, Ernesto Lara, fired a precise cross-shot to keep his team in contention.
Pantoja and Donado sealed the victory in the third period, while Lara scored another goal, reaching seven in total to become the tournament’s top scorer.
Ecuador finished the Group Stage with four losses and will play for 9th place on Saturday against the fifth-placed team from Group B. Meanwhile, Colombia will seek qualification this Thursday when it faces the host team, Chile.
Lineups
Colombia (5): 12- Alejandro Quintero, 2- Wilmar Donado, 8- Sebastián Hernández, 9- Julio Pantoja, 10- Juan Ossa.
Substitutes: 1- Andrés Rivera, 3- Luis Rodríguez, 4- Bayan Gómez, 5- Eduardo López (Captain), 6- Kevin Clavijo, 7- Rafael Acosta, 11- Esleider De Ávila.
Coach: Santiago Alzate
Ecuador (3): 1- Jordan Lozano, 3- Yordy Tarira, 4- Miguel Yagual, 9- Juan Miguel Cruz Tulcán, 10- Ernesto Lara.
Substitutes: 12- Jesús Mora (Captain), 5- Jorge Senge (Captain), 2- Julio Naranjo, 6- Edison Cagua, 7- Kesner Vélez, 8- Juan Xavier Cruz Tulcán, 11- Snaider Morales.
Coach: Jonathan Viteri.
Goals:
1st Period: 2’ Sebastián Hernández (C), 6’ Kesner Vélez (E), 7’ Kevin Clavijo (C). Partial score: Colombia 2-1 Ecuador.
2nd Period: 1’ Esleider De Ávila (C), 2’ Ernesto Lara (E). Partial score: Colombia 3-2 Ecuador.
3rd Period: 1’ Julio Pantoja (C), 7’ Wilmar Donado (C), 8’ Ernesto Lara (E). Final score: Colombia 5-3 Ecuador.
Cards: None.
Main referee: Lucas Estevao (BRA).
