Brazil's Endrick reacts at the end of a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo scored a goal in the first half and Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Friday end a three-match losing streak in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The 23-year-old Rodrygo scored with a shot from outside the box that was deflected by a defender to the right post in the 30th minute. Five-time world champion Brazil lost consecutive matches to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina at the end of last year and was in sixth place in the standings after six rounds. The Brazilians now have 10 points and are in fourth place.
Brazil's Endrick reacts at the end of a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Vinicius Junior falls during a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Gabriel, right, and Ecuador's Enner Valencia go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Guilherme Arana, below, and Ecuador's Enner Valencia battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Rodrygo celebrates scoring the opening goal against Ecuador during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Ecuador's Alan Franco, left, and Brazil's Guilherme Arana battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Ecuador's Pervis Estupinan, left, and Brazil's Luiz Henrique battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Marquinhos, left, and Ecuador's Enner Valencia go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.
Brazil's Vinicius Junior reacts during a qualifying soccer match against Ecuador for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil
Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, center, and Ecuador's Enner Valencia go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil.