Rodrygo came to the rescue as Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying on Friday. The Selecao were tested heavily by Moises Caicedo and La Tricolor, but the Real Madrid star's incredible first-half goal made all the difference.
Rodrygo's opener, and ultimately the winner, arrived in the 30th minute off a Lucas Paqueta assist. The winger received the ball on his left foot, switched to his right, and fired a 20-yard strike past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
After a disappointing showing at Copa America 2024, where Brazil exited in the quarter-finals, Dorival Junior's side bounced back with a win in front of their home fans. Ecuador didn’t make it easy for the home side, though. The visitors’ best chance came in first-half stoppage time when Chelsea midfielder Caicedo found himself one-v-one with Alisson Becker. However, the Liverpool shot-stopper came up big with a massive save to deny him.
With the three points, Brazil leapfrog Ecuador and Venezuela from seventh to fourth place, and after seven matches in the 2026 cycle, they now sit on 10 points. They return to the pitch on Tuesday as they look to secure six points from two matches, with Paraguay hosting the Selecao.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from Estádio Major Antônio Couto Pereira...