High tension, controversy and polemics marked a thrilling top-level match in Barranquilla. With three of our players on the pitch, Colombia seemed ready to take three points at home in minute 99 (!) after a goal by Yerry Mina, Carlos Cuesta's partner at the back. The Estadio Metropolitano, filled to the brim, exploded, the players, bench and technical staff frantically celebrating the late winning goal. And then the Peruvian referee Haro was called to the VAR screen... It turned out that Mina had handled the ball in the build-up. No goal, no win, no joy. The frustration for the Colombians was great and they pleaded with the referee en masse, but to no avail. So it was again 0-0, the team’s third scoreless draw in a row, with Cuesta playing the full 90 minutes, Daniel Muñoz came on in the 69th minute. Incidentally, it was not the first time VAR had made a crucial intervention. Haro had initially pointed to the spot earlier in the game. Ecuador ultimately did not get the penalty, due to a prior (narrow) offside, the hosts perhaps getting the benefit of the doubt.
Colombia had to tip their hats to goalkeeper David Ospina (Napoli) before half-time, as he kept the home team in the match on several occasions, with Ecuador simply bossing the first half. One of the great stars for the visitors was… Angelo Preciado. He neutralised Luis Diaz, one of Colombia's most dangerous players, on the right flank. "The man who often makes the difference was in the back pocket of a fantastic Preciado, who played his best match as an international for Ecuador," we read in the South American sports press. For our lightning-fast right-sided player, the international match was number 17, which is also his jersey number with Ecuador.
Owing to this scoreless draw, neither country is making much progress towards qualification, although Ecuador in particular are doing well. They remain third in the standings for the time being, just ahead of Colombia. The top four qualify directly for the World Cup in Qatar. Favorites Brazil and Argentina have already opened a big gap to the other countries. Next month Colombia has to play away to Brazil and host Paraguay. Ecuador will play at home against Venezuela and in Chile.