Netherlands will have to wait until their final group-stage game to learn their fate.
Ecuador held Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup game on Friday. Qatar became the first team to crash out of the tournament as Ecuador place themselves in pole position to reach the knock-out round.
Valencia strikes again!
Netherlands started the game with an impressive rhythm as they looked for an early breakthrough.
Only six minutes into the game, Cody Gakpo scored his second goal in the tournament to put the Oranje ahead.
Netherlands had gotten what they were looking for, but then it was Ecuador’s turn to find their feet in the game.
The South American giants became more and more effective in their attacks as the first half went on. They came close to scoring the equalizer several times before the break.
However, Gustavo Alfaro’s side had to wait until the 49th minute to clinch the deserved equalizer. Following a blocked shot from Pervis Estupinan, Enner Valencia made it 1-1 by converting the rebound.
The Fenerbahce star reached the tournament’s goalscoring charts by registering his third World Cup goal.
Netherlands made a few half-attempts to restore their lead. But Ecuador kept them at bay for most of the second period.
The South American side even found a few chances to complete their comeback but weren’t able to convert them.
The result eliminates Qatar from the World Cup Ecuador remains in second place. Netherlands will lock horns with the hosts next Tuesday while Ecuador take on Senegal.
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