Ecuador 0-0 Paraguay Player Ratings: Juan Jose Caceres Rated 8/10 as The CONMEBOL Match Ended in a Stalemate

A tense and interesting battle in the WC Qualification South America saw Ecuador and Paraguay fight to a hard-earned 0-0 draw, in which both the teams took 1 point each. The match, hosted at the formidable Defensores del Chaco Stadium, was a witness to defensive solidity over attack. It was a game defined by what didn't happen, rather than what did.

Neither side could truly break the other down, however, several opportunities were created, but none of the South American teams could capitalize on it. The contest was punctuated by crunching tackles and tactical fouls, leading to a flurry of yellow cards shown by the on-field referee. Both teams seemed more afraid of losing than ambitious about winning. Chances were few and far between, with most efforts being blocked before they could trouble the goalkeepers.

The most heart-stopping moment of the match came in the second half. Paraguay's Andrés Cubas rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance. It was a moment that almost broke the deadlock in a game crying out for a single piece of magic. Ultimately, a draw felt like a fair, if unsatisfying, result for both sides, who cancelled each other out completely with the help of defensive solidity. Let's see who all shone in the tie between Ecuador and Paraguay.

Here are our Ecuador Vs Paraguay Player Ratings

Ecuador Player Ratings vs Paraguay

Here are the Ecuador Player Ratings vs Paraguay

Goalkeeper

Hernán Galíndez - 7.0: The captain and the new Arsenal signing had a commanding presence. He made three crucial saves inside the box, keeping his team in the game. What stood out to us was his confidence, especially when coming out to punch the ball clear under pressure. A very solid performance.

Defenders

Piero Hincapié - 7.5: Easily one of Ecuador's best players. He was almost perfect in his duels, winning all six he contested. His pass completion was excellent, and he consistently looked to build from the back. A really mature and composed display.

Joel Ordóñez - 6.5: A decent outing for the defender. He made a number of important clearances and even created a big chance going forward. However, we noticed he was caught out of position once or twice. Room for improvement but a solid foundation.

Willian Pacho - 7.0: An absolute wall at the back. His 96% pass accuracy is incredible for a central defender. He made seven clearances and was a dominant force. Paraguay's attackers found no way past him all evening.

Pervis Estupiñán - 6.0: Not his finest hour. He struggled to make an impact offensively and was caught out defensively, being dribbled past twice. He lost possession far too often for our liking. A performance he will want to forget.

Midfielders

Jordy Alcívar - 6.5: A mixed performance in the heart of midfield. He put in a real shift, making tackles and interceptions. However, he was also bypassed too easily at times. Kept the play moving but without any real penetration.

Pedro Jeampierre Vite Uca - 6.5: Worked tirelessly but his game was marred by a yellow card and a high number of possessions lost. He created one key pass, showing a glimpse of his ability. From our perspective, he tried to force things a little too much.

Angelo Preciado - 6.0: A frustrating player to watch. He showed flashes of skill but ultimately delivered little. He lost a staggering seven duels and frequently gave the ball away. The effort was there, but the execution was not.

Nilson Angulo - 6.5: Ecuador's primary dribbling threat, attempting 14 of them. He was a constant outlet but his final ball was lacking. He managed one shot on target but needed to be more decisive in key moments.

Forwards

Kendry Páez - 5.5: A really disappointing game from the talented youngster. He missed a gilt-edged chance that could have won his team the game. He struggled to get involved and was largely anonymous before being substituted.

Enner Valencia - 6.0: The veteran striker was completely isolated. He had three shots blocked, a testament to Paraguay's stubborn defence. He battled hard but received very little service and cut a frustrated figure.

Substitutes

Kevin Rodríguez - N/A: Came on for Valencia but had little time to influence the proceedings.

Gonzalo Plata - N/A: Replaced Páez but couldn't unlock the Paraguayan defence.

Alan Minda - N/A: A late substitute with no real opportunity to shine.

Félix Torres - N/A: Brought on to see out the draw in the final minutes.

Patrik Mercado - N/A: A stoppage-time substitution.

Manager

F. Sanchez Bas - 6.0: He set his team up to be defensively sound, and they achieved that. However, they looked bereft of ideas in attack. His substitutions didn't alter the course of the match, leading to a predictable stalemate.

Paraguay Player Ratings vs Ecuador

Here are the Paraguay Player Ratings vs Ecuador

Goalkeeper

Gatito Fernández - 6.5: Had a very quiet evening, which is a credit to his defence. He made one save and distributed the ball reasonably well. An easy clean sheet for the Paraguayan keeper.

Defenders

Omar Alderete - 7.5: A colossal performance at the back. He blocked two shots and won 100% of his ground duels. What stood out was his reading of the game, snuffing out danger before it developed. A top-class defensive display.

Juan Jose Caceres - 8.0: Our man of the match. He was simply immense. He won an incredible seven tackles and 13 duels overall. He was a constant thorn in Ecuador's side, both defensively and in joining the attack. A complete performance.

Júnior Alonso - 6.5: Solid and dependable, though his yellow card was unnecessary. He was strong in the tackle and kept things simple. A typically robust performance from the experienced defender.

Gustavo Gómez - 7.0: The captain led by example. He organized his backline superbly and made five clearances and three interceptions. His experience was vital in securing the clean sheet.

Midfielders

Ramón Sosa - 7.0: Looked like Paraguay's most dangerous attacker before his substitution. He had two shots on target and was a constant threat with his dribbling. It was a surprise to see him taken off.

Diego Gómez - 6.5: A very busy, if sometimes erratic, performance. He delivered eight crosses but only found his man twice. Lost possession a lot, but his work rate couldn't be faulted.

Miguel Almirón - 6.0: A surprisingly ineffective game from the Premier League star. We expected him to be the creative spark, but he struggled to get into the game. A late yellow card summed up his frustrating evening.

Andrés Cubas - 7.0: So unlucky not to be the hero. His thunderous shot that hit the woodwork was the highlight of the match. He was a dynamo in midfield, breaking up play effectively before his departure.

Forwards

Antonio Sanabria - 6.5: He held the ball up well and worked hard for the team. He created one key pass but never got a clear sniff of goal himself. A selfless, battling performance.

R. Martínez - 5.5: A very poor outing. He was barely involved in the game and lost possession seven times in just 61 minutes. It was no surprise when he was the first player to be substituted.

Substitutes

Matías Galarza Fonda - N/A: Replaced Martínez but failed to make a significant impact.

Alejandro Romero - N/A: Came on for the dangerous Sosa but couldn't replicate his threat.

Damián Bobadilla - N/A: A late sub for Cubas.

Alex Arce - N/A: Replaced Sanabria for the final few minutes.

Manager

D. Garnero - 6.5: His game plan worked perfectly from a defensive standpoint. His side were organized, aggressive, and incredibly hard to break down. They nearly stole the win and will be the happier of the two teams with the point.

Sportdunia's Player of the Match is Juan Jose Caceres