Not even 29 shots were enough: Ecuador draws with Curacao and complicates its qualification

Ecuador could not break through Curacao's defense and on Saturday finished in a scoreless draw at the , a result that severely complicates the Andean team's hopes in Group E of the 2026 World Cup.

With 75% possession, 29 shots, and 15 on target, Ecuador created an overwhelming statistical superiority that did not translate into goals. Curacao barely touched the opponent's goal—making only three shots on target throughout the match—but their goalkeeper responded every time he was tested, and the score remained unchanged.

The tension settled in from the first half: J. Alcivar received a yellow card in the 38th minute and was replaced at the start of the second half by K. Rodriguez.

Curacao accumulated four cards in the second half —J. Bacuna (53'), L. Comenencia (56'), J. Gaari (75'), and G. Kastaneer (90')— in a match that became increasingly tough as the minutes went by and the substitutions were made.

Ecuador tried to force the outcome with substitutions: Estupiñán was replaced by N. Angulo in the 70', and in the final 10 minutes, A. Preciado and J. Caicedo came on in search of the goal that never arrived. Curacao made five changes in the second half to maintain the draw.

The result has contrasting interpretations for both teams. For Curaçao, making its World Cup debut, the point is historic: it marks their first point in the competition after suffering a 7-1 thrashing against Germany on the opening day.

For Ecuador, however, it is a tough blow: they arrived at the match with no points after losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast, with a last-minute goal from Amad Diallo in the 89th minute of his debut.

leave Germany already qualified in first place with six points, Ivory Coast second with three, and Ecuador and Curaçao tied at one point.

The goal difference separates the two: Ecuador has -1, Curacao -6, which leaves the Caribbean island practically eliminated.

Ecuador still has options, but it depends on other results to secure its place in the next round. In the final group match, on Thursday, June 25, the team coached by Sebastián Beccacece will face Germany at MetLife Stadium: they need to win to reach four points and compete for the second spot in the group or for one of the eight places reserved for the best third-placed teams in the tournament.