Ecuador vs Curacao LIVE: Halftime! (0-0) 2026 World Cup game in Kansas City

The referee brings an end to the first half at Arrowhead Stadium with Ecuador and Curacao level at 0-0.

The fourth official signals four minutes of added time as Ecuador and Curacao head into the closing stretch of the first half.

Curacao are now completely camped in their own half, closing down every space and forcing Ecuador to circulate the ball without penetration. However, Ecuador are not helping their own cause, looking static in possession with very few off-the-ball movements, aside from Gonzalo Plata, who continues to try to take initiative. The situation resembles a tightly closed match similar to Spain vs Cape Verde, with patience becoming crucial for Ecuador.

Jordy Alcivar is shown a yellow card after a foul on Tahith Chong, with the Ecuador midfielder going into the book for a late challenge. Moments later, Leandro Bacuna also receives an amonestación following a hard tackle on Gonzalo Plata, as the referee begins to take control of the match’s growing intensity.

The match is temporarily halted after Juninho Bacuna goes down with what appears to be an injury for Curacao. Medical staff are quickly called onto the pitch as Curacao prepare a potential substitution, with play set to resume once the situation is resolved.

Curacao’s quick transitional attacks are causing real problems for Ecuador, who are starting to look exposed when they lose the ball in advanced areas. Ecuador cannot afford to fall into desperation, as it is opening space for Curacao to exploit dangerous counterattacks. Providencia and the Bacuna brothers remain the most dangerous outlets whenever Curacao break forward, forcing Ecuador to stay disciplined and composed.

The cooling break comes to an end and action restarts at Arrowhead Stadium.

The referee signals for a cooling break as players from both Ecuador and Curacao head to the sidelines to rehydrate in the intense conditions at Arrowhead Stadium.

Ecuador’s finishing continues to raise concerns after multiple clear chances go unused, with their lack of precision in front of goal potentially proving costly. Curacao, meanwhile, are growing into the match through quick transitional attacks, not yet creating major danger but showing that this is their clearest route forward. Ecuador are being urged to step up the tempo and push harder in the final third.

A strong attacking connection between Jhon Yeboah and Pedro Vite breaks through the Curacao defensive structure once again. Vite drives into the box and gets into a dangerous shooting position, but his final effort goes just wide of the post as Ecuador continue to come close without finding the breakthrough.

A superb through ball from Pedro Vite breaks the Curacao defensive line and finds Jhon Yeboah between the lines in a dangerous position. Yeboah takes a touch, cuts inside to create space, but his final shot lacks power and is comfortably dealt with, as Ecuador fail to capitalize on a promising attacking move.

Curacao respond with a dangerous attacking run down the left flank from Juninho Bacuna, who drives forward with pace and gets into a promising position. He unleashes a powerful shot, but it goes just wide of the target as Ecuador escape a scare in their defensive third.

Ecuador continue to dominate the ball in the opening stages, but their attacking play looks rushed in the final third. Moises Caicedo is actively trying to slow the tempo and ask for more composure from his teammates, as quick transitions are leading to unnecessary mistakes and turnovers in possession.

What a brilliant through ball from Moises Caicedo splits the Curacao defense and finds Enner Valencia in behind. The Ecuador striker is one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fails to convert, with the Curacao keeper producing a strong save to deny what looked like a certain opening goal.

The referee signals the start of the match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City as Ecuador and Curacao begin their Group E showdown.

Both Ecuador and Curacao are now on the pitch at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, as they prepare for the pre-match formalities. Players from both sides are lining up for national anthems and the official pre-match handshake, with kickoff in Group E action just moments away.

Venue, attendance, and weather are confirmed for tonight's match. The match will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, officially known as Kansas City Stadium. The venue is expected to host around 76,000 spectators under normal conditions.

Conditions in Kansas City are set to play a role in tonight's World Cup Group E clash between Ecuador and Curacao.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Ecuador enter tonight's World Cup clash as the higher-ranked side. La Tricolor sit 29th in the world with 1,570.76 ranking points.

Curacao, meanwhile, are ranked 83rd globally with 1,287 points. The difference between the two teams highlights the gap in experience and results at the international level heading into this Group E matchup.

Curacao will lineup as follows: Eloy Room; Jurien Gaari, Sherel Floranus, Armando Obispo, Joshua Brenet; Deveron Fonville, Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong; Juergen Locadia.

Ecuador have confirmed their starting XI for tonight's crucial Group E clash against Curacao.

Ecuador will lineup as follows: Hernan Galindez; Alan Franco, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan; Jordy Alcivar, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite; Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia, Jhon Yeboah.

FIFA has confirmed the officiating crew and uniforms for tonight's Group E matchup between Ecuador and Curacao. Ma Ning of China will serve as the center referee, assisted by Zhou Fei of China and Saoud Almaqaleh of Qatar.

Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh of New Zealand has been appointed as the fourth official, while fellow New Zealander Isaac Trevis will act as the reserve assistant referee. The VAR team will be led by Fu Ming of China, with Marco Di Bello of Italy serving as assistant VAR.

Ecuador vs Curacao will get underway at 8:00 PM (PT: 5:00 PM)

Watch this 2026 World Cup match between Ecuador and Curacao live in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock Premium, FOX and Telemundo.

Welcome to our live blog of this crucial 2026 World Cup matchup!

Ecuador face Curacao at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City this Saturday, June 20, with both sides searching for their first points of the tournament.

Stay with us for key information and minute-by-minute updates as Ecuador and Curacao battle to keep their World Cup hopes alive.