Caicedo makes history – but Ecuador are out of World Cup
Moises Caicedo made history as the first ever Brighton player to score at a World Cup – but it was a bittersweet moment for the midfielder as Ecuador were eliminated from the competition.
A point would have sent La Tri through to the round of 16 and a meeting with England. Unfortunately, it was Senegal who progressed instead thanks to a 2-1 win at Khalifa International Stadium.
Ecuador are a young side and the problem with young sides is that they can be inconsistent. They looked nowhere near as good as the team who had beaten Qatar inside of 45 minutes in the opening game of the competition and followed that up with a draw against the Netherlands.
Senegal in contrast showed why they are African champions and will be dangerous opponents for the Three Lions on Sunday, even without Sadio Mane.
Their fans created an intimidating atmosphere which pushed the players to give their best performance of the tournament so far.
Senegal took the lead on the stroke of half time through Ismaila Sarr. The Watford winger was fouled in the box by Piero Hincapie before dusting himself down to convert the resulting penalty.
Jeremy Sarmiento was introduced by Ecuador at half time and he made a real difference. Having been far too slow and pedestrian in the first half, Ecuador suddenly had someone willing to get on the ball and run at Senegal.
Former Crystal Palace wide man turned pundit Andros Townsend was gushing in his praise for Sarmiento during ITV4’s coverage.
If Sarmiento brings the form he showed against Senegal back to Brighton for the second half of the season, then he will be very much in the frame to join compatriots Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan in the Albion starting XI.
Moises Caicedo levelled on 67 minutes with the goal writing a bit of Ecuador World Cup history to go with a place in the Brighton record books as he became the youngest La Tri player to score in the finals.
Felix Torres flicked on a corner to Estupinan who reacted quickly to volley home. As it stood, Ecuador were now going to go through at the expense of Senegal.
But it did not stand that way for long. Just three minutes later and Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibal produced a volley equally composed as Caicedo’s to put Senegal back into the lead.
Ecuador poured forward in the final 20 minutes – plus six minutes of nervous time added on – but Senegal held on.
Many La Tri players sunk to floor at the final whistle. Caicedo was in tears and had to be helped up by his teammates, having given his all to secure Ecuador a place in the knockout rounds for what would have been just the second time ever.
Once the hurt goes away, Caicedo, Estupinan and Sarmiento can reflect with pride on the job they did representing their nation and Brighton in Qatar.
And at 21, 24 and 20 years of age respectively, all are young enough to have at least another shot at a World Cup in the USA, Canadan and Mexico 2026. This is only the beginning for a generation of Ecuador players with a frightening amount of potential.
Having shown glimpses of it on the world stage, the Albion’s trio of La Tri players will continue to fly the flag for Ecuador back in the Premier League in the blue and white of Brighton.
Until Chelsea buy them all, of course.
