Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo and Pervis Estupiñán power Ecuador extend unbeaten run to 19 matches with 3-0 Guatemala win
In their final friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Ecuador dominated and defeated Guatemala. Led by Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo, and Pervis Estupiñán, they beat their opponents 3–0, extending their 19-game unbeaten streak. Ecuador defeated Guatemala in their final friendly before the 2026 World Cup begins. While Sebastián Beccacece’s team shined at a collective level, Luis Tena’s team stood out defensively, proposing a very difficult match for both sides. However, Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo and Pervis Estupiñán lead the scoring side of the Tri, reaching 19-match unbeaten run ahead the 2026 World Cup. Guatemala never managed to find their footing at any point in the game, proving clearly outclassed. Head coach Luis Tena opted for a defensive approach, deploying a back five with the midfielders dropping deep into defense. This strategy kept the game deadlocked at times, but individual mistakes ultimately exposed them. Furthermore, their only offensive strategy was the counterattack, as they lacked creativity. Although Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo, and Pervis Estupiñán managed to score, La Tri showed a major weakness in finishing. As the more dominant team on the field, they created many scoring opportunities, thanks to their decisive players. However, they were unable to finish clearly, exposing their major weakness. After the controversial penalty, they went many minutes without scoring, relying entirely on their opponent’s individual mistakes to find the net. After securing a victory over Guatemala, Ecuador have extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games, a major achievement ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Their last defeat came in September 2024 against Brazil, so head coach Sebastián Beccacece has succeeded in bringing stability to the national team. However, the team’s struggles to finish have remained its biggest headache in recent years. Jeremy Arevalo #24 of Ecuador shoots the ball past Nicolas Samayoa #3 of Guatemala. Caicedo, Angulo and Estupiñán head Ecuador’s goal threat After Marcelo Hernandez gave Allan Minda a slight shove, the referee awarded a penalty, even though the contact was minimal. Although the Guatemalan players protested the call, Jordy Caicedo scored the goal with a powerful shot on goal, beating Nicholas Hagen. Following several minutes with the match remaining quite balanced due to Guatemala’s defense, head coach Sebastián Beccacece decided to bring on Angelo Preciado, who clearly stood out. Just a few minutes after coming on, he sprinted down the flank and delivered a precise cross into the box. Beating the tough opposing defenders, Nilson Angulo scored with a header to give La Tri some breathing room. Far from easing their high press and strong intensity, La Tri managed to score an incredible long-range goal. Following a through ball and a poor clearance from Nicholas Hagen, the ball fell to Pervis Estupiñán. Taking advantage of the opposing goalkeeper’s poor positioning, the left back decided to unleash a powerful shot on goal, scoring a stunning long-range strike to put the game to bed.