Moises Caicedo played the full 90 minutes as Ecuador moved a step closer to securing World Cup qualification with a 0-0 draw against a Brazil side which had former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti in charge for the first time.
Ecuador remain second in the CONMEBOL standings for FIFA World Cup 2026, with the top six teams automatically qualifying and one more going into the play-offs.
Thursday night's game at Estadio Banco Pichincha was Ancelotti's first since taking charge of Brazil, having left Real Madrid at the end of the domestic season, and the former Blues boss was left frustrated by a resilient Ecuador side which extended their unbeaten record at home to 15 games.
In a game of very few chances, Ecuador made it 10 clean sheets in their last 15 World Cup qualifiers to move nine points clear of Venezuela in the play-off spot in seventh.
Venezuela have a game in hand so could close the gap but Ecuador know they only need four points from their final three matches to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
The Brazil side included Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez was an unused sub for Ecuador, two players who have agreed future moves to Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Argentina - who have already qualified for the World Cup and were without the suspended Enzo Fernandez - beat Chile 1-0 to guarantee they would finish top of the standings, with their lead now ten points.