Brazil beat Ecuador 1-0 in Curitiba on Friday, as Real Madrid’s Rodrygo scored the only goal of the game to secure a crucial victory in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification.
[ MORE: CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying hub ]
After crashing out at quarterfinal stage of Copa America this summer and a slow start to 2026 World Cup qualifying, Brazil needed this win. Big time.
Heading into this game Brazil sat in sixth-place in South American World Cup qualifying, meaning they occupied the final automatic qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup. South America’s seventh-place team will go into the inter-confederation playoffs. After three-straight defeats in World Cup qualifying to end 2023, Brazil will now be feeling a lot better as they sit in fourth place in the standings.
Rodrygo goal gives Brazil what they need
Following a wonderful passage of possession from Brazil just before the half hour mark, the ball was played in to Rodrygo outside the box.
The Real Madrid star, who recently revealed his frustration at not being named as a Ballon d’Or candidate, then shifted the ball onto his right foot before unleashing a dipping, spinning effort which hit the far post and then the back of the net.
Rodrygo has now scored three goals in 2026 World Cup qualifying for Brazil, with only Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez ahead of him in the goalscoring charts.
Brazil face Paraguay on Tuesday, September 10 as they have now played seven of their 18 games in the marathon that is CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
⚡⚽ É gol do Rayo! O chute de Rodrygo que deu a vitória para a @CBF_Futebol diante do #Equador#EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/eII7rEncom
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) September 7, 2024
How to watch Brazil vs Ecuador live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9pm ET Friday (September 6)
Venue: Estadio Couto Pereira in Curitiba
TV Channel: Telemundo, NBC Universo