Quito, June 21 (IANS) Ecuador President Rafael Correa has congratulated the national football team after its 2-1 victory over Mexico on Friday evening during the Copa America in Chile.
In his weekly labour report, the president, a known football fan, on Saturday complimented the Ecuador team on the high level it showed during the match, reports Xinhua.
“Yesterday (Friday) the Tricolor beat Mexico,” shouted the president full of excitement before hundreds of supporters who were present during his Saturday report. The national anthem was also played during the meeting.
The match against Mexico was dominated by Ecuador who could have scored more goals according to the president.
“With no disrespect to Mexico, they play very high quality football and have remarkable courage but the score should have been much higher (for Ecuador). Congratulations to our ‘Tricolor’ team and the coach (Gustavo) Quinteros,” added Correa.
Ecuador’s goals were scored by Miller Bolanos (25th minute) and Enner Valencia (56th). Mexico managed to pull one back through a penalty kick taken by Raul Jimenez (63rd) in Rancagua’s El Teniente stadium.
The victory over Mexico is being heralded as “historic” as it is the first time in 14 years that the South American side has won a match in the tournament.
The last time Ecuador won a match in the Copa America tournament was in Baranquilla, Colombia against Venezuela in 2001 where they won 4-0.
