Brazil winger Neymar. (Photo : Getty Images)
Erstwhile tournament leaders Ecuador (4-1-1, 13 points) and struggling powerhouse squad Brazil (2-1-3, 9 points) are scheduled to square off at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, Ecuador this Thursday, Sep. 1 as the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifying tournament continues.
Ecuador started the tourney with four straight wins to top the leaderboard until their 2-2 draw with Paraguay during the fifth matchday.
La Tri eventually succumbed to its first loss in the qualifiers with a 1-3 defeat in the hands of streaking contenders Colombia at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia on Mar. 29 to hand the table leadership to Uruguay, as per Goal.
Club America attacking midfielder Michael Arroyo scored the team's only goal in the contest right at the stroke of full time with Los Cafeteros already ahead by three, 3-0, to help head coach Gustavo Quinteros' side avoid a shutout.
It was Los Amarillos' lowest-goalscoring total in a game so far in the qualifiers after they had dominated most of their opponents in the first five rounds.
Ecuador actually had the first shot on goal during the first half of the match with a play from Antonio Valencia and Enner Valencia, but the latter's strike was easily blocked by Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champions Brazil's last match in the World Cup qualifiers ended in a 2-2 draw with Paraguay, via Daily Mail Online.
Santos FC striker Ricardo Oliveira, who is not included in new head coach Tite's lineup this time, and Juventus defender Dani Alves lead the Seleção's comeback with one goal apiece at the 79th minute and in injury time respectively to force the game into a stalemate.
Paraguay took a 2-0 lead early in the first half when forward Edgar Benitez doubled the team's lead four minutes after the restart following the opening goal of fellow forward Dario Lezcano at the 40th minute in the first half of play.
Brazil had been struggling to dominate their opponents despite being one of the favorites in this tourney.
The return of Neymar, who recently announced that he will relinquish Brazil's captaincy after recently winning the gold medal in Rio, is expected to boost the country's chances moving forward.
The predicted result is a 3-1 victory for Brazil.
Ecuador starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Dominguez; Paredes, Achilier, Mina, Ayovi; A. Valencia, Noboa, Quinonez, Montero; Caicedo, E. Valencia
Brazil starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Alisson; Alves, Marcelo, Miranda, Luis; Lucas; Willian, Casemiro, Augusto, Coutinho; Neymar
