In Quito, the clash between La Tri and the Cafeteros finished in a goalless stalemate, extending another day of the South American competition without a winner.
The Ecuadorian and Colombian squads did not capitalize on the fourth round of the 2026 South American Qualifiers. The match, played at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium, concluded 0-0, a result that reflected a tense battle between two sides hungry for points in the early phase of the campaign.
The coffee growers showed sharper approaches in front of goal, creating several dangerous moments that could have shifted the balance. Yet the finishing touch eluded them, and a lack of successful finishing combined with decisive moments of video assistance prevented the hosts from seizing victory on home soil. At the 61st minute, Moises Ramirez managed to block a shot from Luis Diaz, denying a clear opportunity as the referee Facundo Tello had to interpret a potential infringement via VAR review.
Moments later, a counterattack saw Carlos Cuesta convert what would have been the Colombians’ first breakthrough. The celebration was quickly erased when the play was ruled offside after a VAR check, keeping the score level and the tension high for the remainder of the night.
As the final whistle blew, both nations sat in a careful position within the standings, with Colombia occupying the fifth spot and Ecuador the sixth in the ongoing table. The draw left both programs still very much in contention for a direct path to the upcoming world championship, each aiming to maximize encounters as the qualifiers progress toward a North American hosting year.
South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America: dates, matches, results and format
Minute by minute Ecuador vs. Colombia from the 2026 South American Qualifiers
The live and instant online summary of Ecuador vs. Colombia from the 2026 South American Qualifiers
Source: Goal