BRASILIA, Brazil – Enner Valencia took advantage of slack marking at a free kick to give Ecuador a 1-0 lead over lackluster Switzerland at halftime in their Group E match at the World Cup on Sunday.
The striker lost defender Johan Djourou and rose unmarked just inside the six-yard box to head home a set piece free kick by Walter Ayovi in the 22nd minute.
Switzerland, the top seed in the group and No. 6 in the FIFA rankings, did most of the attacking at Estadio Nacional but lacked a cutting edge in probably the tournament’s most disappointing game so far.
Xherdan Shaqiri came closest for the Swiss after feinting past two defenders and having a shot saved.
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