Ecuador fights for World Cup life as fans clash with coach Beccacece

Ecuador's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are hanging by a thread after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Curacao, a result that has intensified fan anger towards coach Sebastian Beccacece. The team, once hailed as potential "revelation" after a strong South American qualifying campaign where they finished ahead of Brazil and Colombia, has failed to score in their two World Cup matches. Their previous 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast was followed by the humiliating stalemate against the tournament's smallest nation. Goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero for Curacao, making 15 saves, just one shy of the World Cup record. "We are not dead," insisted Ecuadorian players, but the offensive deficit, which saw them score only 14 goals in 18 qualifying matches, is now a critical concern. "The goal just doesn't want to open for us," said historic scorer Enner Valencia, who missed a prime chance early in the match. The frustration extends beyond the pitch, with fans directing their ire at the bench. Chants of "Beccacece Out" echoed through the stadium in Kansas City, where most of the 68,598 spectators wore Ecuador's yellow jersey. "Today we didn't have a coach and the players didn't wear the shirt, they played without heart," said Alex Silva, a construction worker who traveled from Ecuador. "Thousands of Ecuadorians fill stadiums, spend thousands of dollars, and we go home sad, empty-handed, because we are out of the World Cup," he lamented. Beccacece acknowledged his responsibility and the fans' "discomfort and anger." "Maybe I haven't managed to enter the heart of the Ecuadorian people, but I will keep trying," said Beccacece, who replaced Félix Sánchez in 2024 after a decade as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli. Sánchez himself faced criticism after Ecuador's exit from the Copa América 2024.

“

Hoy no tuvimos técnico y los jugadores no se pusieron la camiseta, jugaron sin corazón