Ecuador Under-20 lead France Under-20 2-1 at half-time in their Women’s Under-20 World Cup Group C match on Wednesday, after a first half that saw both sides score from the penalty spot.
Ecuador made the quicker start and moved in front after 10 minutes. Dariana Moran finished the opportunity to give her side a 1-0 advantage and put France under early pressure.
France responded 11 minutes later when Justine Rouquet converted a penalty. Her effort brought the scores level at 1-1 and restored balance to a match in which Ecuador had initially taken control.
The two teams remained level until the closing stages of the first half, but Ecuador regained the lead shortly before the interval. Fiorella Pico scored from another penalty in the 41st minute, putting Ecuador 2-1 ahead.
That second spot-kick means Ecuador go into the break with the advantage in this second-round Group C fixture. France now face the task of recovering in the second half after conceding just before half-time.
For Ecuador, the goals from Moran and Pico have twice put the team ahead, while France’s response through Rouquet has so far been enough only to draw the sides level briefly.
The scoreline reflects a first half in which all three goals came from decisive moments inside the penalty area. Ecuador’s early breakthrough was answered by France, but the balance shifted again when Pico converted late in the half.
France Under-20 will therefore need to overturn a one-goal deficit after the interval if they are to avoid defeat. Ecuador Under-20, meanwhile, will attempt to protect their lead and finish the match with the advantage they established before the break.