With veteran striker Enner Valencia sidelined and goalkeeper Hernan Galindez injured in the warm-up, Ecuador had some selection issues. Gonzalo Valle stepped into the XI for a senior international debut, but he and opposite number Alisson were largely untroubled in a cagey opening period that saw Ecuador control possession.
Their assured nature on the ball almost came undone at the first half’s midway point when Pervis Estupinan was caught in his own third by Estevao, but after Gerson fed Vinicius Junior, Valle rushed off his line to smother the effort.
Making his return to a Brazil side that had lost all four WCQ away games against top-half opposition in the current cycle, Casemiro then headed wide at the back post, while the hosts’ only shot on target before HT came in harmless fashion from John Yeboah.
A dearth of quality in the final third, combined with the fact that just one of Ecuador’s previous 11 WCQ matches saw both teams score, set the second half up nicely for somebody to be a hero and decide the game in their nation’s favour.
However, a dreary opening to the second period made the first look like top-class entertainment, with the first shot after the restart not arriving until the 67th minute.
Again, it was Yeboah who fired tamely at Alisson, as Ecuador continued to appear the more positive side without creating anything clear-cut. A desperate Brazilian attacking display briefly threatened to come to life 15 minutes from time when Vinícius’ cutback found ex-Real Madrid teammate Casemiro, but his low drive was comfortably gathered by Valle.
Alisson then dived to his left to thwart Estupiñán’s long-range drive, doing his fair share to help Brazil withstand some late pressure and secure a draw that leaves them with just one win in their last five WCQ matches.
Despite their recent struggles, the five-time champions remain on course to reach the World Cup finals, where Ecuador will almost certainly be for a second successive edition, after they extended their unbeaten WCQ home run to 14 matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Casemiro (Brazil)