- Ecuador have won two and drawn two of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Curacao have lost four and won one of their last five games in all competitions, including one World Cup match.
- Curacao have conceded seven goals and lost their only away game at the World Cup.
Ecuador can edge exciting end-to-end encounter
Two teams fighting to keep up with the group leaders in Group E meet at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday when Ecuador take on Curacao in a crucial encounter.
Ecuador enter this game third on zero points after one game and curacao are fourth and also on zero. The teams from South America and the Caribbean are battling to remain in the running behind Germany.
The game is a matchup of two very different coaches with Ecuador's Sebastián Beccacece an organised, process-driven type that has instilled a clear identity on Ecuador since taking charge in August 2024. Curacao's Dick Advocaat is a more pragmatist, Dutch-style coach who has brought his new team together since May 2026.
Ecuador's gameplan is to be compact, narrow and structured with a low block that can press in waves and then quickly transition into attack with long and vertical passes. The full-backs provide the width in attack, but they have to be disciplined to get back to their starting positions after the play is switched.
Caicedo is an excellent midfield pivot
Curacao will try to frustrate Ecuador with their compactness and then try to hurt them on the counterattack. They build up play slowly and rely on players to burst past opponents with pace and power when the chances occur.
Livano Comenencia has been a star for them, scoring the only goal they have registered at this World Cup, and he can be a threat when the team are on the break. But this will be a battle of wits between the coaches and it is Ecuador's superior structure and identity that should see them through.
We're backing Ecuador to take three points here at 11/100 because Curacao have lost their last four away games in all competitions. But with over 2.5 goals at 21/50 and both teams to score at 99/50 also available, the latter looks the better option.
Curacao's last three games have seen Scotland win 4-1 and Germany 7-1, while Ecuador's last three contests have seen them beat Guatemala 3-0, Saudi Arabia 2-1, and lose to Ivory Coast 1-0 in their World Cup opener. Ecuador are capable of breaking through this Curacao block, but Curacao can score on the odd occasion when Ecuador are caught out in possession.
