World Cup Qualifier: Ecuador 2 Argentina 0

La Tri beat Maradona’s Argentina two goals to zero and are now currently in the play-off spot of the table. That which once seemed highly unlikely, has happened and are now in a very promising position to go to South Africa.

Unlike other games played at the Atahualpa, Ecuador weren’t the ones dominating the game the first half. During the first few minutes of the game Carlos Tenorio was subbed for Montero because of a injury. Ecuador was now playing with Caicedo as only forward. Argentina started dominating the midfield until at the 27th minute of the game Tevez dribbled his way to the goal and Elizaga took him down in the box and a penalty was given to Argentina. Thankfully Elizaga guessed the right spot and blocked the shot. The penalty that Elizaga blocked raised Ecuadors morale tremedously. Ecuador started taking long distance shots because they just couldn’t break Argentina’s defense specially with only one forward. At the start of the second half, Noboa (who didn’t play nearly as well as he did against Peru) was subbed for Palacios so now Ecuador had again two forwards. Argentina continued their control of the game and slowly as time went, Ecuador started attacking more aggressively. During the 73rd minute Zanetti passed a ball to Rodriguez who didn’t see it coming so it rebounded off his boot and Palacios got the ball and passed to Ayovi who then released a rocket to score the first goal. Ecuador wanted more so at the 82th minute Mendez dribbled into the box and team-mate Palacios takes the ball away from him and takes the ball back and takes a awkward shot and send the Atahualpa into ecstasy as the shot curls into the net and leaving Andújar in shock. Before this goal, despite making numerous appearances, Palacios failed to score with Ecuador and what a time to score. Right before the game was about to end, Valencia released a rocket that crashed the crossbar and went out.

Man of the Match: Elizaga continued his good form and was the hero of the match even before half-time. He saved the penalty that if it were to have gotten in, I promise you the game would have ended much differently. He also made many key saves including one that looked like a sure goal from Gago. Elizaga (who was born in Argentina) showed that he really is a Ecuadorian and is willing to fight to the end, thick and thin to help us go to our third World Cup. SI SE PUEDE!!