Edison Mendez and Christian Benitez led Ecuador to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Peru in Quito.
Ecuador defeated Peru 2-0 in Quito with second-half goals from Edison Mendez and Christian Benitez. With the win Ecuador moved within one point of South American World Cup qualifying group leaders Uruguay.
The match lacked excitement at the beginning, as both teams were locked in the midfield and hardly created any decent goal-scoring opportunities. Ecuador's best chance to find the back of the net arrived five minutes before the half-time break, but midfielder Segundo Castillo couldn't beat Peru goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.
Peru came more into the game towards the end of the half, and almost went ahead with good efforts from Juan Vargas and Jefferson Farfan, two of their most dangerous players. Other than that they were restricted to long-range shots on goal.
In the second period Ecuador launched their team completely towards the attack, as they searched for an opening goal. They looked for a goal at all costs, however, they also left big gaps in their midfield. Peru tried to make the most of the space they were provided with and broke on fast counterattacks at every opportunity.
Peru lost two of their deadliest strikers, with Claudio Pizarro being replaced by William Chiroque and Farfan exiting the field due to an injury. This seemed to inspire the Ecuadorians as they looked much more confident in all sectors, and commenced to inflict heavy pressure upon the Peru goal.
After much pressure, Ecuador finally went ahead in the 69th minute when Benitez dashed into the area and left the ball to Edison Mendez, who beat Fernandez with a shot that crept in off the post.
Despite Ecuador's domination, Peru were presented with a great opportunity to draw level in the 76th minute, but an effort from Jose Eduardo Guerrero that could have ended in a goal was cleared out for a corner-kick by defender Eduardo Morante.
To Peru's dismay, two minutes from full-time Benitez met a rebound in the area with a brilliant finish, to settle the match in favour of the hosts.
With six points from three games, Ecuador find themselves only one point away from Uruguay, the South American World Cup qualifying group leaders.
The match lacked excitement at the beginning, as both teams were locked in the midfield and hardly created any decent goal-scoring opportunities. Ecuador's best chance to find the back of the net arrived five minutes before the half-time break, but midfielder Segundo Castillo couldn't beat Peru goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.
Peru came more into the game towards the end of the half, and almost went ahead with good efforts from Juan Vargas and Jefferson Farfan, two of their most dangerous players. Other than that they were restricted to long-range shots on goal.
In the second period Ecuador launched their team completely towards the attack, as they searched for an opening goal. They looked for a goal at all costs, however, they also left big gaps in their midfield. Peru tried to make the most of the space they were provided with and broke on fast counterattacks at every opportunity.
Peru lost two of their deadliest strikers, with Claudio Pizarro being replaced by William Chiroque and Farfan exiting the field due to an injury. This seemed to inspire the Ecuadorians as they looked much more confident in all sectors, and commenced to inflict heavy pressure upon the Peru goal.
After much pressure, Ecuador finally went ahead in the 69th minute when Benitez dashed into the area and left the ball to Edison Mendez, who beat Fernandez with a shot that crept in off the post.
Despite Ecuador's domination, Peru were presented with a great opportunity to draw level in the 76th minute, but an effort from Jose Eduardo Guerrero that could have ended in a goal was cleared out for a corner-kick by defender Eduardo Morante.
To Peru's dismay, two minutes from full-time Benitez met a rebound in the area with a brilliant finish, to settle the match in favour of the hosts.
With six points from three games, Ecuador find themselves only one point away from Uruguay, the South American World Cup qualifying group leaders.
