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CURITIBA – Real Madrid forward Rodrygo did not mind an “ugly win” as long as his struggling Brazil side won against Ecuador in their home clash on Sept 6. The 23-year-old scored the only goal of the match in Curitiba, as the Selecao finally boosted their lacklustre 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with another victory. 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 the game. “We needed this win, doesn’t matter if it was ugly or not,” he said. “I’m happy with the victory and to have scored, and I hope it helps us in getting better and progressing to the level that we want to reach moving forward.” The five-time World Cup winners moved up to fourth place with 10 points from seven games after only their third win of the qualifying campaign, but remain eight points adrift of leaders Argentina. 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 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 the 2024 Copa America. The lack of fluency that has characterised their recent form was back in evidence against Ecuador. Despite dominating possession for long periods they created little in the way of clear-cut scoring chances, with only three shots on goal. In another match, 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 Sept 2 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. He 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 said. 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. Despite enjoying 65 per cent possession, Uruguay were unable to find a way through a dogged Paraguay defence in a disjointed match littered with some 24 fouls. The result left the Uruguayans in second place in the standings with 14 points, four points behind Argentina. In the 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. AFP, REUTERS