World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil Beats Ecuador 1-0, Suarez’s Uruguay Farewell Ends in Draw

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored the decisive goal as Brazil secured a 1-0 win over Ecuador on Friday, boosting their underwhelming 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rodrygo’s shot, which took a deflection in the 30th minute, was enough to give Brazil all three points in Curitiba. Before this victory, Brazil had been languishing in sixth place in the South American qualifying table. With this win, the five-time World Cup champions moved up to fourth place, accumulating 10 points from seven games, though they remain eight points behind leaders Argentina.

With the 2026 World Cup set to feature 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the top six finishers in South American qualifying will automatically qualify for the tournament, while the seventh-placed team will enter an inter-confederation playoff.

Brazil has faced challenges in recent international tournaments, having been eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and failing to advance beyond the quarter-finals at this year’s Copa America. Their lack of rhythm was evident once again against Ecuador, as Brazil dominated possession but struggled to create clear scoring chances, managing only three shots on target.

Rodrygo’s goal came when he collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area, took a touch, and fired a shot from 25 yards. The ball deflected off Ecuador’s Willian Pacho before hitting the post and going in.

 

Frustrating Farewell for Suarez

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez ended his international career in frustrating fashion as Uruguay was held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Montevideo. Suarez, 37, had announced earlier in the week that he would retire from international football after 17 years, during which he became Uruguay’s top scorer with 69 goals in 143 appearances.

Before the game, Suarez received a tribute on the field with his family, along with a video message from his close friend, Lionel Messi. In an emotional farewell, Suarez told fans, “Uruguay is bigger than any player. Starting tomorrow, I will be just another fan.”

However, the former Barcelona and Liverpool star, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, was unable to score his 70th international goal. Despite Uruguay enjoying 65% possession, they couldn’t break through Paraguay’s stubborn defense in a match marked by 24 fouls. Suarez was one of four Uruguay players to receive a yellow card in the hard-fought contest.

Uruguay remains in second place in the qualifying standings with 14 points from seven games, four points behind Argentina.

 

Elsewhere in South American Qualifiers

In Friday’s other qualifier, Colombia managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Peru in Lima, thanks to a late goal from Liverpool’s Luis Diaz. Peru took a surprise lead in the 68th minute through Alexander Callens, but Diaz equalized eight minutes from time with a close-range header, earning Colombia a valuable point.

The result leaves Colombia in third place with 13 points from seven games.