Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored the only goal as Brazil boosted their lacklustre 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday.

Rodrygo's deflected 30th-minute strike was enough to secure all three points for Brazil, who were languishing in sixth place in the South American qualifying standings before Friday's result in Curitiba.

The five-time World Cup winners moved up to fourth place with 10 points from seven games after their third win of the qualifying campaign, but remain eight points adrift of leaders Argentina.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/steven-bergwijn-takes-jibe-at-netherlands-manager-ronald-koeman-after-comments-over-saudi-pro-league-move-756555">Steven Bergwijn takes jibe at Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman after comments over Saudi Pro League move</a>

With the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico expanded to include 48 teams, the top six finishers in South American qualifying will be guaranteed a place at the tournament. The seventh placed South American team enters an inter-confederation play-off.

Brazil have struggled in recent international tournaments, losing in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and failing to progress past the last eight at this year's Copa America.

The lack of fluency that has characterised their recent form was back in evidence against Ecuador on Friday, where despite dominating possession for long periods they created little in the way of clear-cut scoring chances, with only three shots on goal.

The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark, when Rodrygo collected the ball on the edge of the area, took a touch and then shot from 25 yards. The Real Madrid attacker's strike appeared to clip Ecuador defender Willian Pacho before flying in off the post.

<h2>Frustrating farewell</h2>

In other South American qualifiers on Friday, Luis Suarez bade a frustrating farewell to international football as Uruguay were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Montevideo.

Suarez, 37, announced on Monday he was stepping down from international duty after a glittering 17-year career for Uruguay that saw him finish as the country's top scorer with 69 goals from 143 appearances.

Suarez was feted in a pre-game ceremony which saw him gathered on the field with his family to receive tributes from fans, as well as a video message of congratulations from close friend Lionel Messi.

"Uruguay is bigger than any player. Starting tomorrow I will be another fan," an emotional Suarez told fans in an address to the stadium.

But the former Barcelona and Liverpool star, who now plays in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, was unable to add a 70th goal to his international tally in Friday's farewell game at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.

Despite enjoying 65% possession, Uruguay were unable to find a way through a dogged Paraguay defence in a disjointed match littered with some 24 fouls.

Suarez, whose career at international and club level was dogged by controversies such as his ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, was one of four Uruguay players to be shown a yellow card in a fractious encounter.

The result left Uruguay in second place in the standings with 14 points from seven games, four points behind leaders Argentina.

In Friday's other qualifying game, third-placed Colombia needed a late goal from Liverpool's Luis Diaz to salvage a 1-1 draw with Peru in Lima.

Alexander Callens had fired Peru into a shock lead on 68 minutes, but Diaz headed in from close range eight minutes from time to give Colombia a share of the points.

The result leaves Colombia in third place in the standings with 13 points from seven games.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored the only goal as Brazil boosted their lacklustre 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored the only goal as Brazil boosted their lacklustre 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday. Rodrygo's deflected 30th-minute strike was enough to secure all three points for Brazil, who were languishing in sixth place in the South American qualifying standings before Friday's result in Curitiba. The five-time World Cup winners moved up to fourth place with 10 points from seven games after their third win of the qualifying campaign, but remain eight points adrift of leaders Argentina. ALSO READ: Steven Bergwijn takes jibe at Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman after comments over Saudi Pro League move With the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico expanded to include 48 teams, the top six finishers in South American qualifying will be guaranteed a place at the tournament. The seventh placed South American team enters an inter-confederation play-off. Brazil have struggled in recent international tournaments, losing in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and failing to progress past the last eight at this year's Copa America. The lack of fluency that has characterised their recent form was back in evidence against Ecuador on Friday, where despite dominating possession for long periods they created little in the way of clear-cut scoring chances, with only three shots on goal. The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark, when Rodrygo collected the ball on the edge of the area, took a touch and then shot from 25 yards. The Real Madrid attacker's strike appeared to clip Ecuador defender Willian Pacho before flying in off the post. Frustrating farewell In other South American qualifiers on Friday, Luis Suarez bade a frustrating farewell to international football as Uruguay were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Montevideo. Suarez, 37, announced on Monday he was stepping down from international duty after a glittering 17-year career for Uruguay that saw him finish as the country's top scorer with 69 goals from 143 appearances. Suarez was feted in a pre-game ceremony which saw him gathered on the field with his family to receive tributes from fans, as well as a video message of congratulations from close friend Lionel Messi. "Uruguay is bigger than any player. Starting tomorrow I will be another fan," an emotional Suarez told fans in an address to the stadium. But the former Barcelona and Liverpool star, who now plays in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, was unable to add a 70th goal to his international tally in Friday's farewell game at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. Despite enjoying 65% possession, Uruguay were unable to find a way through a dogged Paraguay defence in a disjointed match littered with some 24 fouls. Suarez, whose career at international and club level was dogged by controversies such as his ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, was one of four Uruguay players to be shown a yellow card in a fractious encounter. The result left Uruguay in second place in the standings with 14 points from seven games, four points behind leaders Argentina. In Friday's other qualifying game, third-placed Colombia needed a late goal from Liverpool's Luis Diaz to salvage a 1-1 draw with Peru in Lima. Alexander Callens had fired Peru into a shock lead on 68 minutes, but Diaz headed in from close range eight minutes from time to give Colombia a share of the points. The result leaves Colombia in third place in the standings with 13 points from seven games. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil down Ecuador 1-0, Uruguay’s Suarez’s farewell ends in stalemate

Uruguay’s legendary forward Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier being his last assignment for the national side. The announcement came on Monday (Sep 2). The striker, who will retire at the age of 37&nbsp;represented Uruguay at four World Cups and helped them reach the semis in 2010 after a controversial handball against Ghana in the quarterfinal.

<h2>Suarez announces international retirement</h2>

"Friday will be my last match for my country," an emotional Suarez, 37, told a press conference.

"It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my (Uruguay) career," he added.

Having made his debut in 2007, Suarez represented Uruguay in 142 matches and scored 69 goals also being the top scorer for his nation. The upcoming World Cup qualifier will be his 143rd cap for the national side and his last outing in the team’s colours. The former Barcelona man has happy memories with Uruguay having led them to Copa America success in 2011.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/pak-vs-ban-weve-already-lost-pakistan-coach-jason-gillespie-on-second-test-against-bangladesh-755324">PAK vs BAN: 'We've already lost...,' Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie on second Test against Bangladesh</a>

However, Suarez will go down for two most controversial moments in the FIFA World Cup history having denied Ghana a shot at the semis in 2010 and then biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 group stage. In the 2010 quarterfinal, Ghana were on the cusp of the World Cup semis when Suarez intentionally denied them a goal with a handball on the line. The resulting penalty was hammered over the crossbar therefore taking the match into a penalty shootout where Uruguay prevailed.

For the Chiellini incident, Suarez was banned for four months from all football-related activities which saw him miss a chunk of first season at Barcelona in 2014.

Suarez’s retirement also drops curtains on an illustrious period for Uruguay with another star forward Edinson Cavani also retiring in June.

Uruguay’s legendary forward Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier being his last assignment for the national side.

Uruguay’s legendary forward Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier being his last assignment for the national side. The announcement came on Monday (Sep 2). The striker, who will retire at the age of 37 represented Uruguay at four World Cups and helped them reach the semis in 2010 after a controversial handball against Ghana in the quarterfinal. Suarez announces international retirement "Friday will be my last match for my country," an emotional Suarez, 37, told a press conference. "It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my (Uruguay) career," he added. Having made his debut in 2007, Suarez represented Uruguay in 142 matches and scored 69 goals also being the top scorer for his nation. The upcoming World Cup qualifier will be his 143rd cap for the national side and his last outing in the team’s colours. The former Barcelona man has happy memories with Uruguay having led them to Copa America success in 2011. ALSO READ | PAK vs BAN: 'We've already lost...,' Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie on second Test against Bangladesh However, Suarez will go down for two most controversial moments in the FIFA World Cup history having denied Ghana a shot at the semis in 2010 and then biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 group stage. In the 2010 quarterfinal, Ghana were on the cusp of the World Cup semis when Suarez intentionally denied them a goal with a handball on the line. The resulting penalty was hammered over the crossbar therefore taking the match into a penalty shootout where Uruguay prevailed. For the Chiellini incident, Suarez was banned for four months from all football-related activities which saw him miss a chunk of first season at Barcelona in 2014. Suarez’s retirement also drops curtains on an illustrious period for Uruguay with another star forward Edinson Cavani also retiring in June.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez announces international retirement, to bow out against Paraguay in Friday's WC qualifier

luis-suarez-retirement

Luis Suarez Retirement, News on Luis Suarez Retirement, stories on Luis Suarez Retirement, articles on Luis Suarez Retirement, Luis Suarez Retirement stories at Wion, Luis Suarez Retirement news, Luis Suarez Retirement latest news

luis suarez-retirement

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil down Ecuador 1-0, Uruguay’s Suarez’s farewell ends in stalemate

Uruguay's Luis Suarez announces international retirement, to bow out against Paraguay in Friday's WC qualifier