WORLD CUP: Did you know

Ecuador’s international football history was a blank page until 2002. They participated in the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in Korea and Japan, qualifying for the tournament before Brazil.

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They opened with two defeats to Italy and Mexico, before recording their first ever victory in a World Cup against Croatia thanks to an Edison Mendez goal, thus proving they were capable of success away from the high altitudes of their capital Quito. A team, who did not play any international outside South America until 1970, could return home with their heads held high.