World Cup Qualifying - South America

Jun 11, 2025 at 2.30am UK

Estadio Nacional de Lima

Peru vs Ecuador

Match preview

Currently unbeaten in their last eight matches, Ecuador find themselves in familiar territory, having failed to score in successive games for the second time during this run.

The Tricolours' desire for revenge against Brazil, whom they last lost to in a 1-0 defeat in September 2024, failed to materialise. However, Sebastian Beccacece can take encouragement from how his side have fought through adversity to stand within touching distance of a World Cup spot.

Having been docked three points at the start of the qualification campaign for fielding an ineligible player during the 2022 qualifiers, Ecuador got off to a slow start, but have since clawed their way up the table with seven wins, six draws and two defeats.

This has lifted Ecuador to second place in the CONMEBOL standings, six points ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela, with three rounds of fixtures still to go.

Already assured of at least a place in the intercontinental play-offs, Ecuador could secure automatic qualification with a win on Monday, although history has not been kind to them in recent visits to Peru.

La Tri have not won in their last three competitive away matches in this fixture in the World Cup qualifiers, losing twice and drawing once, and they will be eager to rewrite that narrative under the Lima lights.

While Peru have often dominated Ecuador at home, their away record tells a different tale. The 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture is a stark reminder of their struggles.

This result in Quito extended La Bicolor’s winless run to five matches, and although they ended this with a surprise victory over Uruguay, they soon found themselves in another barren spell.

Indeed, it took another four matches for La Blanquirroja to secure a second victory, with their 3-1 triumph over Bolivia merely providing a brief respite before their current dry spell resumed.

Oscar Ibáñez's team have also struggled to score goals, failing to find the net in their last two matches, including a 1-0 loss to Venezuela, before earning a hard-fought goalless draw in Colombia.

This determined performance was not enough to lift Peru from ninth place in the standings with 11 points, and anything less than a win on Monday will all but extinguish their slim hopes of securing a play-off spot.

Despite their overall struggles, Peru have made their home ground count, remaining unbeaten in their last five World Cup qualifiers, winning twice. Their only home defeats came in their opening fixtures against Argentina and Brazil.

Recent Performance

Peru World Cup Qualifying - South America form:DLWLD

Ecuador World Cup Qualifying - South America form:WWWDD

Team News

Despite an inconsistent campaign, Ibáñez has largely retained faith in his core group. The only change from the squad used in the March window was Edison Flores replacing the injured André Carrillo last time out.

Luis Advincula, Carlos Zambrano, Renzo Garces and Marcos Lopez are expected to continue in the back four in front of trusted goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, while veteran striker Paolo Guerrero is set to spearhead the attack once again.

In contrast, Beccacece was forced to shuffle his pack in March due to the absence of his most reliable forward, prompting a change in approach.

The squad still lacks the services of all-time top scorer Enner Valencia, who sustained a grade three muscle tear while playing for Internacional and is expected to be out of action for several more weeks.

In his absence, Beccacece switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Venezia forward John Yeboah in a two-man strike force — a setup that may be retained for this match.

Moises Caicedo of Chelsea is expected to anchor the midfield once again, while recent Champions League winner William Pacho should continue to marshal the defence.

Peru possible starting lineup:

Gallesse; Advincula, Zambrano, Garces, Lopez; Aquino, Tapia, Flores; Polo, Guerrero, Reyna

Ecuador possible starting lineup:

Valle; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Estupinan; Angulo, Vite, Caicedo, Minda; Yeboah, Franco