Flores and Arboleda offer springboard to Ecuador's future

Impressive, relaxed and even fearless, Ecuador wowed everyone in Sosnowiec on Sunday. While the South American nation's first appearance on the global stage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™ could have proved intimidating and left the players feeling nervous, they instead looked completely at ease and produced a convincing 3-0 victory over Ghana, a team with plenty of experience at this level.

While Ecuador's collective effort was impressive, the victory was very much shaped by two players who shone. The first, Rosa Flores, had the whole stadium on its feet as early as the fourth minute, unleashing an improbable strike from more than 40 yards out that caught the Ghanaian goalkeeper by surprise. For the South Americans, they could hardly have dreamed of a more iconic way to launch this brand-new story.

"As I had already said in previous interviews, my biggest strength is shooting from outside the box. I am very happy and very pleased," Flores told FIFA, still ecstatic, about her spectacular goal. "It was crazy. I am very happy about the three points and about having contributed to the team."

Having made her mark with a moment of brilliance, the LDU Quito player then turned her attention to making her team-mates shine with her precise passing. It was one of her superb deliveries in particular that allowed Domenica Arboleda to double Ecuador's lead after just 17 minutes. Arboleda then completed the 3-0 scoreline with a sublime piece of skill late in the game. It was difficult to imagine a better U-20 World Cup debut for a player who had already experienced the joy of scoring at a World Cup at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™.

"I am very happy for the team because we played with our hearts and souls and, in the end, the results came," said the player, who is currently completing her development in Italy with AC Milan. "As you just saw on the pitch, I like to have fun and let the little girl inside me come out and enjoy herself. I think I showed that today."

Before facing France and then Korea Republic, Ecuador have already put themselves in a strong position to reach the Round of 16, but is that really so surprising? In the midst of a resurgence, having emerged from two FIFA U-17 Women's World Cups – their first two – and a historic second-place finish at the CONMEBOL Sudamericano Sub-20 Femenino, Ecuadorian women's football can draw on the considerable qualities of an exceptionally talented generation that is setting no limits for itself.

"This team is coming off a very good South American Championship and now we want to have our best possible World Cup," said coach Eduardo Moscoso. "I am not only talking about the results, but also about performance. We want to show the younger generations that there is talent in Ecuador and that we have come here to compete with the other teams."

While Ecuadorian women's football is firmly focused on the present in Poland, it is inevitably also looking towards the future. Fittingly, they will meet Ghana once again in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™ Play-Off Tournament, as early as November. And while they are fully focused on their U-20 World Cup, Flores and Arboleda, who have both recently been involved with the senior team, will inevitably have Brazil somewhere in the back of their minds.

"You have just seen the generation Ecuador has," said Arboleda proudly. "We are going to play in the play-offs with the senior team and, God willing, we hope to qualify for a World Cup. I hope to be there. We will see if it ends up happening, but I hope so."

"For now, we are focused on this U-20 World Cup, but one of my goals is also to reach the senior team," Flores added. "I have already been part of the process and, if the coach calls me up, I will be there and I will give 100 per cent."

For Moscoso, there is no doubt that his two attacking players – along with other talented members of the squad in Europe – already have what it takes to make an impact at senior level.

"Rosita Flores is having a great Superliga season, a very good domestic championship, and Domenica is already in Italy, where she is completing her development," he explained. "Despite being very young, Domenica is gaining experience that has helped her mature as a person. Their performances have also helped establish both of them as starters for the senior team. We do not want to rush the process, but we believe they are ready to compete, and they showed it today."

Ultimately, one of the keys to Ecuador's return to the FIFA Women's World Cup™ for the first time since 2015 may well be found in Poland.

"I think these tournaments are very important because you face very strong opponents and gain competitive rhythm," concluded Flores. "Ecuador are ready for this and for much more."