Ecuador became the first South American team to be eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup after losing to Senegal in the last match of Group A. The team coached by Gustavo Alfaro did not play their best game and were surpassed by the African team, who qualified as second (6 points), while the Netherlands finished first (7 points).
Although the Tri represented South America, there were several fans from the continent who mocked and remembered the football player Byron Castillo, who was not called up to the World Cup due to issues regarding his nationality.
"It seems like they missed Colombian Byron Castillo", "Congratulations to Byron Castillo for playing so well in the World Cup", "With Byron Castillo, maybe they would have won", "Now, Ecuador is with Byron Castillo", were some of the comments from the fans.
User comments after Ecuador's elimination. Photo: Twitter screenshot
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Ecuador will start the qualifiers with 3 fewer points
After Ecuador's elimination from the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Ecuadorian national team must focus on the next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. However, the Tri will start with -3 points after being sanctioned by the TAS in the Byron Castillo case.