Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Venezuela
Match Time & Date:
16/11/2023
05:00 PM
Prediction: 0-0
Ecuador
Buoyed by a 3-0 win over Chile, Venezuela will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Ecuador at Estadio Monumental de Maturin. La Vinotinto made a promising start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, but Salomon Rondon and Co. need to keep on making progress if they are to book their place at the showpiece tournament for the first time in the history of the national team. Inter Miami attacker Josef Martinez has been omitted, but Yeferson Soteldo, who scored the opener against La Roja, made the cut.
La Tri, on the other hand, are undefeated in the previous three group games and seeing that Venezuela are tough to beat at home, we are tempted to place our bets on draw. Barring any fresh injury worries, Felix Sanchez is unlikely to make changes to the team that played out a goalless draw with Colombia in their last qualifying match.
Highlighted Player (Jose Salomon Rondon):
Over the years Jose Solomon Rondon has established himself as one of the best South American attackers. The Venezuelan striker was born in Caracas on September 16, 1989 and he played for San Jose de Calasanz at the start of his youth career. He played for the youth teams of Deportivo Guilima and Aragua as well and he continued playing for Aragua at senior level.
After scoring 15 goals in 15 appearances for the club, Salomon Rondon moved to Spain in 2008, signing a deal with La liga side Las Palmas and two years later he moved to fellow Spanish outfit Malaga. The left-footed forward scored 25 goals in 67 appearances in La Liga for los Boquerones, but in the summer of 2012 he moved to Russian club Rubin Kazan.
Despite failing to impress in 36 appearances for the Tatars, Zenit chiefs decided to bring Rondon to Sankt Petersburg in 2014 and it has to be noted that the Venezuela international scored 20 goals in 37 appearances in the Russian Premier League for the Zenitchiki. Salomon Rondon, who made his Venezuela debut in February 2008 against Haiti, currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Highlighted Team (Ecuador):
Ecuador had endured difficult times in footballing terms having been considered to be one of the more struggling football nations in South America, but the Tri have managed to transform themselves into a team that can never be taken lightly at the international scene.
Ecuador has taken part in three of the 22 World Cups with 12 position they achieved in 2006 in Germany being their best result so far. La Tricolor head into Copa America Centenario tied at the top of CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifying table and their chances of making it through from group B have been increased with good results and alike performances.
Ivan Hurtado played for El Tri since 1992 to 2014 and former centre-back remains the most capped international with 168 games to his name. Ecuador captain Walter Ayovi is the active player with most games in the national team, while Felipe Caicedo with 19 goals is the top scorer of Gustavo Quinteros’ side.
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