Spain coach Félix Sánchez Bas went on record as having secured his first win in charge of Ecuador in Melbourne this Tuesday, in the second of a two-match friendly against Australia on the FIFA date. The triumph of the tricolor was 2-1, with a comeback. Last Thursday, the national team took revenge on Australia for a 3-1 defeat, in the debut of Sánchez Bas. Pervis Estupiñán’s penalty kick in the 51st minute and William Pach’s goal in the 65th minute brought Ecuador victory. Brandon Borrello scored for Australia in the 16th minute.

Although he did not score, striker Kevin Rodríguez was one of the players who shone the most in the friendly match. Quick, tireless and strategic, Rodríguez created at least four scoring chances for La Tri, who had a first-round bye to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The duo of Ángelo Preciado and Alan Franco also brought strength to the Ecuadorian side heading into this match. was much more organized.

The Australian press, in the digital editions of several of its main newspapers, referred to the duel with Ecuador, which had less media significance than information on rugby, the Formula 1 Grand Prix (Sunday in Melbourne) and cricket.

Age: “The Socceroos they came back down to earth with a 2-1 loss to Ecuador. Graham Arnold gave the team’s exciting new generation of players more opportunities, this time, with mixed results. Brandon Borrell’s first international goal put Australia ahead in the first half of Tuesday night’s clash at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, but despite the best efforts of debutant goalkeeper Joe Gauci, who made a string of incredible saves, they could not contain the visitors”.

Gazette of Sun: “Brandon Borello’s first international goal was not enough to help Socceroos completing the assault on Ecuador in this two-game friendly series; The South Americans beat the hosts 2-1 at the Marvel Stadium on Tuesday. After losing to Australia 3-1 in Sydney, Ecuador looked much stronger this time around, coming from 1-0 down to win impressively in what was a very physical game. The Socceroos come back to earth.”

Sydney Morning Herald: “Obviously intent on avenging Friday’s 3-1 loss in Sydney, Ecuador were more skilful with the ball and much more physical in the scrums. Their coach Félix Sánchez later admitted that they were determined to go the ‘extra mile’ to match their opponents in that second encounter. The SocceroosIn contrast, they were more disjointed at both ends of the pitch, something Graham Arnold expected after making seven changes to his starting eleven. In the balance of the game, the victory was fully deserved”.

News: “Australia started the game strongly in the first 20 minutes, but Ecuador took over and finished with far more shots on goal (16-7), shots on goal (8-2) and corners (5-1), despite had fewer possessions (48%). Australia were unlucky to be denied a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time in the opening stages when Piero Hincapié brought down Riley McGree in the box, but unbelievably. If there was VAR, a penalty would certainly have been awarded, but na Socceroos they were denied the opportunity to double their lead.” (D)