Brazil Loses at Ecuador

L.A. Times Archives

March 29, 2001 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Brazil, a four-time champion, lost at Ecuador, 1-0, in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup on Wednesday, while Italy and Germany picked up easy victories to close in on berths.

At an altitude of 9,400 feet in Quito, Ecuador, Agustin Delgado scored four minutes into the second half to give Ecuador (6-4-1) its first victory ever over Brazil (6-3-2).

Brazil came close to tying, but Romario hit the left post when the net was open and Ecuador goalkeeper Jose Cevallos made two saves in the final minute.

Brazil fell to third place in the South American standings, behind Argentina and Paraguay, which defeated Uruguay, 1-0. The top four teams automatically qualify for next year’s tournament in South Korea and Japan; the fifth-place finisher plays the Oceania winner for another berth.

In Europe, where 21 qualifiers were played, England won again under new Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, while Portugal tied the Netherlands, 2-2.

Spain ended France’s 10-game unbeaten streak by beating the World Cup and European champion, 2-1, in an exhibition at Valencia.

Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero scored two goals each as Italy beat Lithuania, 4-0, while Germany overpowered Greece, 4-2.

Italy (4-0-1) has 13 points to lead Group Eight by seven points over Romania, which beat Georgia, 2-0.

Germany (4-0) stayed atop Group Nine, four points ahead of England (2-1-1), a 3-1 winner over Albania.

In Group Two, the Dutch took a 2-0 lead at Oporto, Portugal, but Pauleta and Luis Figo scored in the last five minutes to pull Portugal even. Ireland beat Andorra, 3-0, to move atop the standings, while Cyprus and Estonia tied, 2-2.

Group One leader Russia edged the Faroe Islands, 1-0. Switzerland beat Luxembourg, 5-0, and Slovenia and Yugoslavia tied, 1-1.

In Group Three, the Czech Republic and Denmark tied, 0-0, at Prague to remain first and second, with the home team two points in front. Bulgaria beat Northern Ireland, 4-3, at Sofia to remain third.

Slovakia moved to the top of Group Four by beating Azerbaijan, 3-1, with two goals in the first 10 minutes by Szilard Nemeth.

Turkey rallied to beat Macedonia, 2-1, at Skopje, Macedonia, and Sweden defeated host Moldova, 2-0.

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Wednesday’s Results

2002 World Cup qualifying scores:

United States 2, Honduras 1

Costa Rica 3, Trinidad and Tobago 0

Ecuador 1, Brazil 0

Paraguay 1, Uruguay 0

Argentina 4, Chile 1

Russia 1, Faroe Islands 0

Yugoslavia 1, Slovenia 1