World Cup: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador - reaction

1. Use play icon at the top of page for live commentary from Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
2. FT: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador - Cody Gakpo opens scoring, Enner Valencia levels
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'Take a photo, show your friends'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

BBC Sport

It's hard to tell which nation has more supporters here.

I was soaking up the atmosphere beforehand when the lady on the right in this photo, an Ecuador fan, smiled and said "Hello" as I walked past.

I said: "Wow, your hats are amazing!" She said: "Please, take a photo and show it to your friends."

I thought I'd show it to the thousands of you reading this page instead.

The Brighton boys

They're pretty proud of this trio on the south coast. And why not?

Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan were excellent from the start against Qatar and Jeremy Sarmiento made an impact off the bench.

The Netherlands will need to be aware of their threat.

Youthful promise

Ecuador have the joint-third youngest squad at this tournament, behind only Ghana and the USA, and level with Spain.

That's shown in their starting line-up with nine of their players having an average age of 23.

Throw in Enner Valencia (33) and goalkeeper Hernan Galindez (35) and that figure balloons to a sprightly 25.

'A tough game ahead'

Stephen Warnock

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ecuador do pose a threat.

They’re young, they're athletic and they can threaten on the break.

I think it will be a tough game for the Netherlands.

'My voice is going now!'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

I spotted Ricky, from Quito in Ecuador, with his drum outside the Khalifa International Stadium on my way in.

I went over to say hi and to ask him for his thoughts on the game. "Ah, you are media? Which one? The BBC in England? Let me play for you!"

He was fantastic and we had a long chat afterwards about Ecuador's chances and how we both felt the Netherlands were underwhelming in their opening match.

"My voice is going now, can you tell?" he said, before telling me he thinks his side can sneak a narrow victory.

"The coach said our first game was OK but we can do better. I think if we play better we can get a 1-0 or a 2-1 win. Let's see."

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Is Valencia fit enough?

Reuters

Gustavo Alfaro will be desperately hoping Enner Valencia is fit and firing.

The elder statesmen of this young, exciting side scored both against Qatar and has actually got all of Ecuador's last five goals at the World Cup.

In the history of the competition, only three players have ever scored six consecutive goals for a nation – Eusebio for Portugal in 1966, Paolo Rossi for Italy in 1982 and Oleg Salenko for Russia in 1994..

However, in the opening game he limped off with a knee strain.

Only yesterday, Alfaro said: "The tests show he doesn't have an injury but the trauma is very serious."

Valencia has been named in the starting XI - but how fit can he actually be?

Defences rule

Ecuador are on a national record run of seven consecutive clean sheets with the last player to score against them being Argentina's Julian Alvarez in a World Cup qualifier in March.

But then, the Netherlands have kept four successive clean sheets in World Cup matches for the first time.

They'll have their eye on equalling the tournament record of five consecutive clean sheets.

Reuters

'It is what we have worked towards'

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

BBC Sport

Among a sea of orange, I somehow managed to pick out an Englishman. What are the chances?

I saw this couple posing for a photo outside the stadium and asked if they speak English.

I was met with a strong London accent. "I am English," the man laughed.

"I have lived here in Qatar for 10 years now. This is my wife. We met here."

His wife, from the Philippines, smiles. I asked them what changes they have seen in Qatar since the World Cup arrived.

"Oh, the infrastructure and the Metro. I have never seen so many people using it. The World Cup is what we have been working towards. It's great."

Have your brought your shades?

The sun may be setting but there's some serious colour on show at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The brightest set of fans on show at this World Cup?

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Depay dilemma

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Louis van Gaal has gone against his own beliefs to pick Memphis Depay for this tournament.

The Barcelona striker hadn't played for two months because of a hamstring injury before coming on against Senegal on Monday and may get more minutes today.

"This is a player who is quite extraordinary and so I have set aside my principles ," Van Gaal said. "I consider him to be incredibly important for our team.

"I explained it to the players and I do all this for Memphis and the players are all doing it for Memphis and they accepted it."

Depay is once again among the subs this afternoon.

No protest planned

The Netherlands will not be making any political statements this evening.

They were one of the seven nations planning to wear the One Love armband before Fifa ruled any player displaying it would be issued with a yellow card.

Asked about Germany's team-photo protest before their game against Japan, Louis van Gaal said: "We put a full stop after all the political issues past Thursday. I think that's enough."

Defender Denzel Dumfries agreed, saying: "We paid a lot of attention to it and over the last few weeks, we've really responded.

"But we came to Qatar to play football and that's what we're focusing on."

Confident?

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Louis van Gaal has been in a relaxed mood before this one, pictured below with wife Truss (R), Frenkie de Jong and the midfielder's fiancee Mikky Kiemeney (L).

And why wouldn't he be? This will be his ninth match in charge of the Netherlands at the World Cup.

He’s never lost a game in normal or extra time at the tournament – in 2014 his Dutch team were only knocked out on penalties in the semi-finals by Argentina.

How's your Friday?

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So far, there's been something very all-or-nothing about round two of the group stages.

Earlier, Wales were beaten by Iran to leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Even Gareth Bale thinks it'll be "difficult" to qualify now.

And then in this group, Senegal got themselves back in contention by beating Qatar.

The hosts will be dumped out of the competition if Netherlands win or it's a draw in this one.

Team news - De Ligt on the bench

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

BBC Sport

Louis van Gaal has made three changes to the Netherlands side who beat Senegal in their opener.

Davy Klaassen, who came off the bench to score late in stoppage time for the Dutch, replaces Vincent Janssen in the starting XI.

Matthijs de Ligt is replaced by Jurrien Timber in defence, while midfielder Teun Koopmeiners comes in for Steven Berghuis.

Netherlands XI: Noppert, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Bergwijn, Gakpo, Klaassen, Blind, Koopmeiners, De Jong, Dumfries.

BBC Sport

There is one change to the Ecuador side from their comfortable victory over Qatar on the opening night of the World Cup.

Midfielder Romario Ibarra drops out for defender Jackson Porozo.

Brighton duo Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo start again, alongside captain and Sunday's double goalscorer Enner Valencia.

Ecuador XI: Galindez, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Estrada, Valencia, Preciado, Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Porozo.

Let's have a look at the teams.

Scouting report

Opta

I know many will be counting down the hours (three) until England play the United States at 7pm.

But this match could be critical in deciding who Gareth Southgate's side face in the knockout stages.

The winners of Group A will face the runners-up of Group B and vice versa.

The Netherlands could clinch a place in the last 16 with a win while Ecuador will be sitting pretty if they can upset Louis van Gaal's side.

Should England seal qualification tonight, they'll be very interested in what has happened here.

After Ecuador laid down the gauntlet by pooping hosts Qatar's party, the Netherlands responded in kind the following day by despatching Senegal.

Qualification from Group A is up for grabs today - so who fancies it?

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Remember opening night?

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Greetings

Afternoon and welcome to the Khalifa International Stadium, scene of England’s 6-2 win over Iran on Monday and Japan’s stunning comeback against Germany two days ago.

More of the same please.

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