Key: Will the veteran Ecuadorian defense led by Ivan Hurtado, Giovanny Espinoza, Neicer Reasco, and Ulised De Cruz be able to stop the more dangerous Chilean attack?
The attack involves Chile’s wonderkid Colo Colo’s Humberto Suazo and Reinaldo Navia with Jorge Valdivia holding at midfield. Manager Nelson Sanchez has his trump card Villareal’s Matias Fernandez to bring on from the bench if the Chilean attack goes nowhere. Fernandez is an attacking midfielder but can play the slot striker and is also their free kick specialist. Sanchez also has Rodrigo Tello who can kick up a cloud of dust down the left.
Chile’s best attacking player Alexis Sanchez is doing duty for the U20 squad in the World Cup in Canada.
Ecuador’s attack in the absence of Ivan Kaviedes comes from Felix Borja and Luis Valencia. They should be able to test the Chilean defense through the set pieces of Edison Mendez, their best player.
Ecuador scrapes through, 2-1 thanks to a match winner by Edison Mendez.
Update: Jared Borghetti is out of the match against Brazil due to a hamstring injury. Borgehtti has punished Brazil in the past with his aerial ability. This is a big blow to Mexico’s chances. But they still have Nery Castillo and Juan Carlos Cacho who could prove dangerous.