Beccacece goes from brink to World Cup history with Ecuador

Ecuador's World Cup qualification campaign began with a three-point deduction slapped on them back in 2022 for fielding Colombia-born Byron Castillo, who Chile claimed was ineligible to play the qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar. They began the 2026 qualifiers under Felix Sanchez, who guided them to three wins from six matches before the former Qatar boss was dismissed in July 2024, straight after a Copa America quarter-final defeat by Argentina. "They lost the shootout, and Sanchez was sacked in the dressing room after the game," South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Sport. "They treat their coaches with great harshness." Beccacece reign began with a 1-0 defeat by Brazil but his side did not lose again in 11 matches as they qualified for the World Cup as runners-up in South America - only behind the Selecao. It meant they arrived at the tournament with high expectations and boasting a 19-game unbeaten run. But it was far from the start they or their supporters had hoped for. A last-gasp 1-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in the opener was followed by a humiliating goalless draw with debutants Curacao - which turned the fans against the coach. "I am very sorry I didn't make ​it to the heart of the Ecuadorean fan," he had said. "For the fans who don't know me, I think I didn't quite click with them. …