Ecuador - Iraq: result, summary, highlights, pre-World Cup 2022 friendly
Ecuador - Iraq: as it happened
Ok, folks, that's all from me (Joe) tonight! We will see each other again for the World Cup! The countdown is ON!
Make sure you come and say hello over on Twitter @English_AS
My man of the match tonight was probably Romario Ibarra, who looked like a lightning bolt when he was on the pitch, but a big mention for Angulo, Byron Castillo and Mena, as well as Plata, of course. Ecuador definitely have enough talent to scare the other teams in their group during the tournament, despite this result looking quite worrying from the outside.
Fingers and toes crossed for Byron, who hopefully hasn't suffered anything too serious. The team at AS English and I will be over on the website for the rest of the night with any updates.
Here's the statistics from the game:
As we can see, it was quite a dominant performance from the South Americans.
FT: Ecuador 0-0 Iraq
And, breathe!
That was a breathless end to a game that Ecuador should have put away easily.
In the end, the match played out pretty much like it did in the first half, just slightly more frenetically.
Ecuador will rue the missed chances and the most pessimistic fans will perhaps even be a bit concerned that they failed to break down a resilient butultimately poor Iraq side who really looked on the beach. They did well, however, to channel the spirit of Diego Simeone and get away with a 0-0 draw in the Atlético Madrid stadium.
It was a good test for Ecuador in their last game before the World Cup and we may even see a similar match play out in the tournament opener against Qatar on 20 November.
Gonzalo Plata looked like he must start every game for the next 1,000 years and Angulo brought a great sense of control to the midfield, knowing also exactly how and when to switch the play and when to calm things down.
Overall, the intensity was good and Ecuador will arrive at the World Cup ready to put on a good show for everyone with a very exciting squad and a beautiful shirt. I am oficially declaring myself an Ecuador fan for the tournament.
Aaaaand that's full time!!!
Ecuador 0-0 Iraq
SAVED!!!
Plata hit a soft shot to the goalkeeper's right side and Hachim stopped it easily!
Plata to take...
PENALTY TO ECUADOR!!!
Plata hits a cross that clearly comes off the arm of the defender.
Huge shout for handball as the ball appears to hit a defender on the arm after Mena heads a cross towards goal. Will have to see a replay.
Three added.
Iraq substitute:
OFF: Ammari
ON: Jassim
Oh, my. All of a sudden, Iraq look like they've woken up (89 minutes late, I'd say) and begin to charge forward with the ball.
Ecuador pushing for a late goal, which would surely be the winner.
Nope. Looks like Zaid can't continue. Karrar replaces him.
Five minutes to go...
A pause in play as centre-back Tahseen is injured. More time for me to watch the Ecuador fans, who are now bouncing in the stands.
He's back on.
Since coming on, Reasco has also been a huge pest. The Newell's Old Boys striker certainly has an attitude!
Plata and Angulo have given a completely new feel to this Ecuador side: they look incredibly dangerous during every attack. Let's see if they can take advantage of the good momentum.
Iraq changes:
OFF: Hussein and Attwan
ON: Hamzah and Jabar
All the joy in the recent minutes is coming down the left side before being switched to Plata who, incredibly, Iraq seem to forget about every time it happens.
Another Ecuador corner cleared by Iraq's defensive unit.
64% possession for Ecuador so far and despite not making countless clear-cut chances, they have certainly had the better of the game and should be well ahead.
Oh my! Half chance but an absolutely brilliant few moments of football from Ecuador!
The ball was played around the edge of the box like a team that has just won the World Cup and a cross from Plata was inches away from being on the end of Estrada's outrageous attempt at an overhead kick. Liquid football.
CHANCE!
Angulo has given Ecuador a new sense of dynamism in the middle of the pitch, and hislong-range shot doesn't go too far wide at all. Hachim spread his wings like a sea eagle but wasn't getting anywhere near it.
Rumblings on the Iraq bench. Changes inbound.
Corner conceded by Bayesh who look absolutely shocked that the referee has given it.
The out-swinging ball lands to Arreaga, whose shot is caught in one hand by Hachim. Very smooth, sir.
The crowd are on their feet again. My only complaint is that somebody outside the ground must have been selling horns and a lot of children have managed to convince their parents to buy them.
SAVE FROM HACHIM!
Seriously? Plata must be reading this live feed. He picks up the ball on the right and decides to go on a mazy run down the wing, before rifling a shot at the goalkeeper.
The game seems to be settling down now. Iraq back to the 5-3-2 and Ecuador are having much more of a relaxed time about it all.
A man in a Portuguese FA jacket is speaking very sternly to Gustavo Alfaro, who continues to be a naughty boy.
The quality of the crossing has been excellent from Ecuador so far, but nobody has managed to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe it's worth checking if Hussein has any Ecuadorian grandparents as he could definitely do a job for La Tri.
The early pressure seems to be calming, and the crowd are trying to make sure that doesn't happen. A great noise at the Metropolitano tonight.
A succession of Ecuador corners are cleared away by Iraq, who are looking pretty desperate now...
A couple of half-time changesI missed for Iraq. It was Plata's fault for starting so well.
OFF: Aoraha and Abdulnabi
ON: Muhsen and Al Boeesa
A corner for Ecuador is cleared away. Iraq have a counter and actually make up about 50 yards before the yellow swarm clouds them and the call comes out in the other side.
Iraq currently playing with a back six. Ecuador have stepped it up a gear in the opening minutes.
CHANCE!
A diving header is cleared for a throw after good work from Plata again.
Corner for Ecuador. Won by Plata.
The Ecuadorians start very brightly, with Plata immediately involved. Some direct running from deep puts Iraq under early pressure.
He's going to be trouble tonight!
Half time subs for Ecuador
OFF: Franco, Torres, Mendez and Ibarra
ON: Angulo, Chavez, Baquero and Plata
And we're off!
The Iraq players are back out for the second half!
And that roar means the Ecuador players have returned too - let's go!
Surely Iraq can't continue to play like this when Jesús Casas comes in, right?
From the noises I'm hearing in Madrid, people aren't too happy with their lack of intent on the ball and their lack of discipline off it.
The more I see it back, that foul on Byron Castillo was very unnecessary.
World Cup guide
Ah, in case you too have succumbed to World Cup fever (I can officially confirm that I have), then here's a perfect guide.
Literally EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about the World Cup teams. Literally.
It appears the people want more.
The replies to this tweet would suggest that the Ecuadorian fans aren't happy with their side so far. I'd say they're doing just fine: they should be ahead and are missing a lot of players who would normally start. Relax!
Half time report: Ecuador 0-0 Iraq
It's going pretty much as most people expected, to be honest. Ecuador have controlled the possession and dominated the space all over the pitch.
Iraq have had to resort to long balls to Hussein (who has done well to pluck most of them down from the sky) apart from a few attacks that have been cut out at source by the excellent rest defence of Ecuador.
In attack, Alfaro's side have been very happy to maintain possession in defensive areas and have gradually pushed higher and higher up the pitch. As well as this, they have chosen their moments to attack brilliantly and the two wingers, as well as the full backs (before the unfortunate Castillo injury) have caused havoc.
The biggest chance fell to Mena, who sent the ball into the sea of yellow shirts after fabulous work from Ibarra (yes, he's been my favourite player so far).
Overall, good intensity from the side who will open the World Cup against Qatar in 8 days time.
Aaaaaand there we go! Half time!
Hachimnearly caught off his line but gobbles the ball up quickly. Could've been messy. 30 seconds to go.
2 minutes added on.
Ecuador do very well in picking out when is the right moment to push the ball from a calm, controlled possession stage to a crazy, flashing lights, what-is-going-on level of madness in attack. It's all extremely well coached.
Winces across the stadium as Torres goes to ground screaming.
He looks to be OK.
Tell you what, I was going to say who my favourite player has been so far, but since I typed how there were no injuries seconds before my previous 'best player on the pitch', Castillo, got injured, I'm going to keep it to myself.
Ecuador piling on the pressure as we move into the final 5 minutes of the half. Let's see if Iraq can hang on.
CastilloOFF
Arboleda ON
Fingers crossed for the Club León man.
BIG CHANCE FOR ECUADOR!
Ibarra breaks away and slides the ball to Mena, who is free inside the box.
He sees his name in lights before he shoots and pings the ball into the stands.
The resulting free kick is crossed in, and after a bit of pinball, comes to nothing.
I really hope Castillo is OK. He's not continuing and will be replaced, but at least he's able to walk off the pitch.
Hang on a minute. Why did I bother? Castillo down injured after being chopped by an opponent.
Substitute being prepared.
Half an hour gone. If you've just joined us, here's the story so far:
Millions of long balls from Iraq just mean that Ecuador recover the ball easily, and then start their controlled build-up, switching from side to side and eventually feeding it in to one of the dangerous wingers or full-backs.
Iraq are dropping deeper and deeper, concentration levels rising.
We've seen some very tasty early fouls, but thankfully they've calmed down and we haven't seen any injuries as of yet.
Iraq not being put under a lot of pressure from Ecuador (they are probably a bit more relaxed out of possession for obvious reasons, it's 8 days to go until the World Cup) but nevertheless look more than happy to thump long balls towards Hussein.
Every. Single. Time.
Ah, lovely stuff. Silky switching of the play by Ecuador, swishing and swashing (is that a phrase?) from left to right before whipping in a dangerous cross. Last-ditch defending from Iraq, again. If they get one, the floodgates could open.
Referee Gustavo Correiahas a word with Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil, who must have said something. Naughty boy.
Some delightful play down the right from Castillo (who looks very dangerous) gets the crowd off their feet. Well defended by Hussein.
Free kick to Iraq swung in and Younnes jumps to head it. Blocked and out for Iraq's first corner of the game.
Weak header saved by Domínguez.
OFF THE LINE. ECUADOR.
A corner is swung in and centre-back Torres meets it. He jumps about 400 times like a sea lion to try and reach the ball as it continuously gets pushed off the line by the resilient defensive line.
Quite a feisty one, so far. Ecuador look the more talented team and have more attacking threat about them, but Iraq look prepared to fight all the way tonight. So, erm, interesting challenges.
Attwan gets a yellow for that challenge. Franco is OK to continue.
Eek. Francogoesdown after being hit in what I originally thought was the crown jewels. On second glance it seems he had his hand in the way. A lucky man.
A nicely worked deep free-kick from Ecuador is well cut out but Attwan comes flying in needlessly.
HUGE CHANCE FOR ECUADOR
The ball came in from the right and was headed away. Palacios had made his way to the opposing box and hit a thunderous volley towards the top right corner. A fantastic save from Hachim.
Iraq are definitely happy to cede possession to Gustavo Alfaro's side, and are sitting in a 5-3-2 mid-block.
Huge cheers from the crowd as Ibarra is fed down the left wing. He looks very lively so far.
Hussein is definitely being used as a target man from Shenaishil's side, that's a few times now the goalkeeper has aimed for him (and hit him). Could be useful once legs start to get tired.
A challenge from Aoraha actually ends in him tripping over Castillo, and it's a free kick to the South Americans, which will be whipped in from the right.
Cleared and Iraq have a counter attack, a chance for them to break... and it comes to nothing.
Hang on, on further investigation, it seems that it actually hit Itiyah, who is down on the floor.
He's up and running again, and play is resumed.
Chance! The ball was swung in by Mena, who placed it on Arreaga's head. Headed wide. Possibly should be 1-0 already.
Early attack down the left wing from Estrada, who is taken down on the edge of the box. Free kick incoming. First chance to test the goalkeeper.
Ecuador happy to keep some early possession, and they look pretty tidy doing so.
And we're off!
Ecuador kick us off from right to left. Yellow and navy versus all green.
Yes, Ecuador. We agree.
"Our anthem is beautiful." Hard to disagree.
Ecuador now...
Much more of a dramatic song, a lovely build up and well sung by all. I'd say they just edge it, mainly because of the numbers.
Time for the national anthems. First up, Iraq (who are playing in a lovely green kit today).
Very emotional all round, that was. Some fantastic singing from the fans. Top work.
There is so much yellow in the stands tonight. The Ecuadorians in Madrid really do have World Cup fever! Flags, shirts, hats, signs - everything!
The players are heading out of the tunnel now...
Five minutes to go!
Here are the lineups again, just so you don't forget:
Ecuador: Domínguez; Castillo, Torres, Arreaga, Palacios; Méndez, Franco, Cifuentes; Ibarra, Estrada, Mena
Iraq: Hachim; Younnes, Atiyah, Tahseen; Al Ammari, Aoraha, Attwan, Bayesh, Ghasem; Abdulnabi, Hussein
I told you it was raining
Rain, wind, everything - but the smiles are still there from the fans!
I have to say, that is an absolutely delightful Ecuador shirt.
Not long to go now, just 10minutes!
The players have concluded their final warmups and are now inside receiving the final team talk (and presumably drying off, the rain is unbelievable!).
Can you spot the LAFC players in the Ecuador lineup? Here's a clue...
Here's the Ecuador starting XI, just to refresh:
Domínguez; Castillo, Torres, Arreaga, Palacios; Méndez, Franco, Cifuentes; Ibarra, Estrada, Mena
The stadium is slowly filling up, despite the absolute pouring rain!
Just an update on the Iraq side: you may have noticed that QPR's Alexander Aoraha is at the base of midfield - it his his first start in the national side tonight!
The players certainly look pretty happy!
Not long to go now before we get to the action! It's great to see so many fans turn out in Madrid to support their team.
Iraq's starting XI
Here is the lineup for Iraq; it looks like a 3-5-2 to me
Hachim; Younnes, Atiyah, Tahseen; Al Ammari, Aoraha, Attwan, Bayesh, Ghasem; Abdulnabi, Hussein
The final XI before the World Cup...
Here we have the line-up for Ecuador!
Injury update...
And unfortunately we start of with some bad news, as Carlos Gruezo was subbed off injured this afternoon, with just 8 days to go.
Hello and welcome to the AS English live feed of Ecuador vs Iraq.
It's Joe here and I'll be guiding you through tonight's events. Gustavo Alfaro’s side will take play in the opening game of the tournament on 20 November against hosts Qatar, so tonight will definitely give us all a good feel of how they are going to shape up for the big opening show.
Iraq were Mexico’s pre-World Cup opponents on Wednesday night in Girona, where they were thrashed 4-0. It looks to be an uphill battle for the Asian side, who let's find out!