Ecuador ties Brazil 1-1 in WC qualifier

A last-ditch goal by Cristian Noboa has helped his side Ecuador draw five-time World Cup champion Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match. 

The Brazilian outfit took the lead when substitute Julio Baptista surprised Ecuador's goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos with a low shot in the 72nd minute in Quito on Sunday. 

Noboa, however, netted the late equalizer on the rebound of a blocked shot by teammate Cristian Benitez in the 89th minute to salvage a point for Ecuador. 

“We knew it would be difficult and we didn't play our best football,” Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar told the Brazilian television. 

“Their players didn't stop running for one minute, we stood up well until the end and the goal was a punishment for us all,” he added. 

The Brazilian team played without star player Kaka, who injured his foot playing for AC Milan this month. 

Brazil has now 18 points from 11 games in the 10-team South American qualifying group and sits fourth, five behind leaders Paraguay, while Ecuador has 13 and is placed seventh in the chart. Argentina and Chile are second and third respectively with 19 points apiece.