Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador: Tight at the top in World Cup Group A
The Ecuadorians put in a fine display and had the edge
Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side drew 1-1 against an impressive Ecuador at the World Cup on Friday.
The two teams are joint top of the group on four points each, level on goal difference.
Hosts Qatar, who lost 2-0 to Senegal earlier, were eliminated as a result.
Cody Gakpo, who netted in the opener, smashed home the first goal of the game in the sixth minute, the perfect start for Louis van Gaal's team.
It was the fastest goal of the tournament, after five minutes and four seconds.
Andries Noppert palmed away an effort from Enner Valencia as Ecuador worked hard to get back in the game.
Pervis Estupinan thought he had levelled when he diverted a low drilled effort home, but it was ruled out as an offside player had blocked the goalkeeper's view.
However early in the second half Valencia was on target, tucking home from clolse range after Noppert parried Estupinan's drive.
It was nearly two but Gonzalo Plata crashed a strike back off the crossbar with the Dutch stopper nowhere close to it.
Bad news for Ecuador came in the form of Valencia going off injured on a stretcher. They need him fit and firing.
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