Both teams came into the game with confidence having recorded 2-0 victories in their opening group games, with Ecuador defeating hosts Qatar and Netherlands seeing off Senegal.
With this in mind, these two nations were well aware that a win would see them advance to the round of 16, and it was Louis van Gaal’s side who got off to the perfect start when Ecuador handed possession away 20 yards from goal, and Cody Gakpo collected before firing a terrific shot past Hernán Galíndez at the near post to make it 1-0.
The 23-year-old is the second Dutch player to score in his first two FIFA World Cup appearances, after Memphis Depay in 2014.
Despite taking the lead, the Oranje were far from convincing, with Ecuador arguably being the better side in the first half. La Tri thought they had equalised in stoppage time, but Pervis Estupiñán’s goal was ruled out when Jackson Porozo was adjudged to be obstructing Andries Noppert’s line of vision from an offside position.
The South Americans could have felt sorry for themselves, but they came out after the restart with the same intent and soon found an equaliser when Enner Valencia was on hand to tap in after Estupiñán’s shot had been saved by Noppert. The 33-year-old has now scored Ecuador’s last six World Cup goals.
With a spring in their tails, Ecuador sensed a real opportunity to record a historic victory, and they came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Gonzalo Plata hit the crossbar with his shot from just outside the area.
Gustavo Alfaro’s side couldn’t find a winning goal in the closing stages - which would have been deserved - but know that should they defeat Senegal on Tuesday, they will seal qualification from Group A.
For the Netherlands, meanwhile, a point against winless Qatar will be enough to see them through.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands)
