Friday 01 November 2019, 22:10

Revitalised Ecuador join last 16

  • Ecuador upended Hungary 3-2 in Goiania

  • They climbed back from a one-goal deficit in the second half

  • The result sees them through to the Round of 16

Three second-half strikes lifted Ecuador past Hungary and into the Round of 16 on Friday at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™. Finishing as the second-placed side in Group B, La Tri will advance to play Group F's second best, which is to be determined, on 7 November in Vitoria. Hungary, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the competition.

Ecuador [[flag-ecu-xs]]

The Ecuadorians scored three times in a 20-minute span, including twice in rapid succession at 66 and 68 minutes. The first and third goals were aided by defensive errors from Hungary’s centre-backs: one a mistimed tackle and the other a short, intercepted clearance. Forward Pedro Vite and winger Johan Mina took full advantage of their opportunities and each found the net, capped by Mina's 86th-minute winner.

Hungary [[flag-hun-xs]]

Hungary No9 Andras Nemeth displayed great control on both his goals, the first a volleyed effort that dinged the bottom of the crossbar in the 50th minute and the second off a corner kick in the 73rd. The Hungarians led in every match they played at Brazil 2019, but could only muster one point via a draw with Australia. Nonetheless, it was the first point earned by the country at the U-17 world finals since 1985, an accomplishment they can view with some pride.

Up next

Round of 16 [[flag-nga-xs]] Nigeria-3 ACD (5 November, Goiânia/Olímpico, 20:00 local time) [[flag-ecu-xs]] Ecuador-2F (7 November, Vitoria/Cariacica, 16:30 local time)

*Australia await their opponent in the Round of 16 - will be against either 1C or 1D