Ecuador bounced back from Friday’s loss away in Brazil to reinforce their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with Caicedo and Kendry Paez – who will join Chelsea next summer – in the starting line-up.

Peru were the visitors to Quito, with Moises, who was the captain, anchoring the midfield as usual and teenager Paez taking a position on the left wing, in a 3-4-3 system which has given Ecuador plenty of joy during this campaign.

That continued as an Enner Valencia goal 10 minutes after half-time gave Ecuador a 1-0 win, sending them back above Brazil and Venezuela to go fourth in the table, despite having a three-point deduction.

They were helped in climbing the table by the latest disappointment in a difficult qualifying campaign for Brazil. The Selecao were already trailing 1-0 away in Paraguay when Estevao Willian – another teenager set to become a Blue in 2025 – was introduced from the bench with six minutes remaining, but they were unable to salvage a point.

That leaves Brazil in fifth place as they chase a top-six spot which ensures qualification for the World Cup automatically, with just a one-point margin to Bolivia in eighth.

There was also a narrow loss for Argentina and Fernandez, although they remain two points clear at the top of the South American qualifying table. Amazingly, the reigning world and continental champions had previously won every match in all competitions this year and only failed to win one game since November 2022.

However, all good things must come to an end and their 11-game streak of victories was stopped in Colombia, with Fernandez starting in midfield in this rematch of the summer's Copa America final.

On this occasion Colombia gained revenge, though. After falling behind, it looked like Argentina would salvage at least a point when they got an equaliser early in the second half, but James Rodriguez struck the winner from the penalty spot to inflict a rare defeat on the Albiceleste.