Ecuador put long unbeaten run to the test against Ivory Coast

Ecuador: Ecuador enter the World Cup on a ⁠19-game unbeaten run and full of confidence having finished second in South American qualifying, ​but are wary of a powerful ​first opponent in Group E when they take on Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Ecuador have not lost since a 1-0 defeat by Brazil in September 2024, which was the first game in charge for their Argentine coach Sebastian Beccacece.
He has not been beaten since, conceding only five goals in their 18 World Cup ⁠qualifiers, though conversely they managed to score just 14 times themselves.
Striking a balance between ⁠attack and defence will be key at the global finals, and the Ivorians provide a difficult start.
'We are very excited and appreciative to be in this position,' Beccacece told reporters on Saturday. 'We are focused. We ‌know what we have to do on and ​off the field.
'The energy ⁠in the squad is fantastic and if you can manage it well, ​this is something you can make ‌the most of.'
Many of the Ecuadorean players represented the side at the 2022 finals in Qatar, where they exited in the group ​stages following a 2-1 loss to another African opponent, Senegal, in their final pool match.
That bitter memory is one that drives the current squad and they are looking forward, rather than to the past.
'History does not matter,' Beccacece said. 'What matters is we are united and solid, fully committed, and ‌aware of the kind of challenging opponents we are facing.
'The group is meeting my very ​demanding expectations in every aspect. Now we have to focus on how we can attack ​better, ‌use ⁠space better and function better.'
Beccacece concedes his side will have to overcome the physicality of the Ivorians, as much as their technical ability.
'We are going to have to be strategic in ​this respect because they are powerful and strong. We have to ⁠show we can ​stand up as a group. Our tactics will help us with this,' he said.
The coach believes his side should take confidence from their recent record, even if they are short of goals.
'The last 19 games we have not lost. Our recent history is strong, now ​we have to show this at the World Cup, the biggest stage of ​all. We want to put our best foot forward and be demanding of ourselves,' he added.
Ecuador also face Germany and Curacao in their group. — Reuters