There is a pre and a post 21st century in the history of the Ecuadorian national team. Up until the 2000s, the team had never played at a World Cup yet since they have qualified for three tournaments: 2002 in Japan and South Korea, 2006 in Germany (where they reached the round of 16), and 2014 in Brazil.
"El Tri", as the side is known in Ecuador, has definitely earned a place amongst world football's elite. When it comes to the CONMEBOL Copa America, however, Ecuador are yet to become protagonists.In 2021, Argentine boss Gustavo Alfaro's mission is to take the Andean country to another level in South America. So far, from 28 appearances at the tournament they have only reached the semifinals twice (in 1959 and 1993, when they were hosts) and have never made it to the final.
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In the most recent edition, in 2019 in Brazil, Ecuador finished bottom of their group, having won just one point from three games.
That was a dissapointment but "El Tri" has hit a good run of form since then with optomism renewed.
There were 5 friendlies in the second half of 2019, with three wins and two defeats. In the World Cup qualifiers, signs are very positive. Despite the two recent defeats to Brazil and Peru, Ecuador are currently in third place, on track to make the World Cup.
Gustavo Alfaro should be at full strength for the CONMEBOL Copa América, with key men such as São Paulo's strong central defender Arboleda, goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez of Vélez Sarsfield and forwards Énner Valencia of Fenerbahce, Leonado Campana of Wolverhampton, Michael Estrada of Toluca and Ángel Mena of Léon.
Despite some remarkable recent wins, many consider Ecuador outsiders for the tournament which will not worry boss Alfaro one bit. The Argentine manager took Arsenal de Sarandí to a surprise Copa Sudamericana title in 2007 and when asked about his team's chances he confidently remarked "where is it written that Ecuador cannot be champions?".
Ecuador are in Group B of the tournament, alongside Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. They make their debut on 13 June against Colombia at Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá.
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