The Chilean national team depended on itself and qualified for the final hexagonal of the South American Sub 17. La Roja drew 1-1 against the host Ecuador, in a close and heated match for the fourth round of Group A, at the Christian Benitez Betancourt stadium in Guayaquil.
And the team led by Hernan Caputto didn't have it easy. In the 19th minute, goalkeeper Francisco Valdes was brilliant in the block against the onslaught of Michael Bermudez. La Roja replied with a long-range shot from Oliver Ramis that went wide in the 30th minute.
In the 33rd minute, Benjamin Molina was outstanding in arriving just in time to intercept Elkin Ruiz, who was going alone towards the confrontation with the Roja goalkeeper. And the Chilean goal came...
Benjamin Ampuero scored in the 38th minute with a shot from inside the area with ball control in a double instance after the cross from the right by Diego Vargas. With a partial victory for the Chilean team, they went into halftime.
In the second half, La Roja saved themselves at the beginning amidst the inability to clear and the difficulties in containing from Francisco Valdes (46th minute). And the goalkeeper shone again with a save to the near post (49th minute).
The bad news for Caputto came in the 50th minute with the injury of Benjamin Molina, who had to leave on a stretcher replaced by Ignacio Perez. And Ecuador complicated Chile's tranquility with the equalizing goal from Michael Bermudez in the 54th minute.
Kendry Paez was sent off in the 57th minute for a kick on the ground against Ramis and Bastian Escobar saw red for Chile in the 63rd minute for a more than questionable tackle that earned him a straight red card.
In parallel, Brazil defeated Uruguay 0-3, dealing a heavy blow to the Charruas, who say goodbye to the South American Sub-17 in Group A. The goals for the Verdeamarela were scored by Rayan (65th), Lorran (83rd), and Matheus Reis (89th).
Thus, Brazil, leading with 10 points; Chile (7) and Ecuador (5) qualify for the final hexagonal. Uruguay (4) and Colombia (1) have been eliminated. Waiting for the final round, Group B is already defined with Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela advancing in the hexagonal.
La Roja will return to action on Tuesday, April 11th against the top qualifier from Group B, currently Argentina unless Paraguay says otherwise.