- Enner Valencia and Ecuador need to beat Haiti in their final Group B fixture
- If Peru fail to beat Brazil, a two-goal victory will see Ecuador reach the quarter-finals
- West Ham United striker has 15 goals in 27 appearances for his country
Valencia has 15 goals in 27 games for his country, including a vital strike in a 2-2 Group B draw with Peru earlier this week – a result that leaves El Tri with an opportunity to reach the last-eight on Saturday night.
Ecuador take on outsiders Haiti in their final group-stage fixture in East Rutherford, New Jersey knowing victory by a two-goal margin will take them through, as long as Brazil do not lose to the Peruvians in Foxborough, Massachussets.
Valencia, who netted with a smart control and volley against his fellow South Americans, will be confident of bagging again when Ecuador tackle a Haiti side beaten 7-1 by Brazil and already eliminated from the centennial Copa America tournament.
Following Thursday’s draw in Glendale, Arizona, Valencia tweeted positively: “Go #Tricolor of Ecuador! Only we know the effort we make. We are now focused on our next target!”
Valencia made his senior debut against Honduras in January 2012, before establishing himself in 2013 and scoring his first goal against the same opposition in November of that year.
The Hammers No11 scored in six consecutive internationals in summer 2014, including one against England and then three at the FIFA World Cup finals.
After netting twice more at last year’s Copa America tournament, Valencia missed a number of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers through injury but returned with a goal in his comeback match against Paraguay in March this year.
Kick-off at MetLife Stadium is at 23.30 BST (18.30 local time) on Sunday 12 June. The match will be screened exclusively live in the UK by Premier Sports (Sky 428/Virgin 551).