Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage as Chile take on Ecuador in their World Cup 2018 qualifying clash.
Chile are aiming for a victory in order to keep their slim hopes of qualification alive, while Ecuador know that only a win will see them stay in the running for Russia.
Follow all of the live action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Please note that this fixture gets underway at 12.30am.
23 minGOAL! CHILE 1-0 ECUADOR (EDUARDO VARGAS)
14 minCHANCE! The home side are growing in dominance now and they almost take the lead. Some neat interchanges on the edge of the area finally see the ball land at the feet of Vidal. The playmaker winds up from distance, before seeing his shot blocked on its way to goal.
12 minCLOSE! Ecuador push up slightly naively and they almost get caught out when a ball in-behind finds the run of Vargas, although Banguera does brilliantly to race off his line and gather the ball.
9 minEcuador are presented with their first chance to break forward on the counter and they duly oblige with Preciado, who beats his man before eventually being crowded out and dispossessed on the edge of the Chilean box.
8 minAgain it is all possession for the hosts, who switch through the gears in order to release Sanchez down the left wing. The frontman has limited options inside the area and instead goes for goal from a tight angle, leaving Banguera with a comfortable save.
5 minChile are enjoying all of the ball early on and Sanchez's pace has started to cause some problems over on the left, with two Ecuador defenders required to pull out and mark him when he is in possession. I'm not sure they can afford to keep that up all game.
3 minIt's a fast-paced opening from both sides and Chile gain the first break as they spring forward through Sanchez. The Arsenal forward aims to get the ball out from under his feet and shoot, but he is hounded out on the edge of the box.
1 minKICKOFF! Chile get things moving in Santiago - the hosts in all red while the visitors feature in yellow and blue.
12.30amThe players are now running through the national anthems and then we'll be off!
12.25amPREDICTION! Just five minutes until kickoff now and it is time to make a prediction for the game. Neither side have been particularly great of late, but this Chile side does have the ability to turn things on when required. I'm backing the home side to edge this contest 2-1 at home.
12.22amEcuador did beat Chile 3-0 when they last met in qualifying so that should give the away side at least some confidence of a positive result. Despite their poor run, Ecuador have managed to score in seven of their eight away qualifiers. The country's only goalscoring failure came against table-toppers Brazil.
12.18amChile have largely been reliable at home prior to their recent capitulation against Paraguay. Before that defeat, Chile had registered four straight qualifying wins at home. Tonight's result is largely made more important given that Chile's final game sees them travel to Brazil, who have never lost a World Cup qualifier when competing on home soil.
12.15amSo the major team news for Chile is that they are close to full-strength at home as they go in search of a crucial victory. Alexis Sanchez will lead the line, while further creative support is to come from Arturo Vidal and Pablo Hernandez. Ecuador can call on the vast experience of Manchester United full-back Antonio Valencia.
12.14amECUADOR SUBSTITUTES: Cevallos, Ortiz, Garces, Uchuari, Murillo, Velasco, Plata, Mina, Johnson, Arreaga, Piedra, Lopez
12.12amECUADOR STARTING XI: Banguera; Aimar, Arboleda, Ramirez, Valencia, Ibarra, Orejuela, Arroyo, Ordonez, Preciado, Intriago
12.10amCHILE SUBSTITUTES: Pinilla, Puch, Roco, Paredes, Fuenzalida, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Valencia, Diaz, Herrera, Cortez, Pulgar
12.10amCHILE STARTING XI: Bravo; Jara, Medel, Mena, Isla, Vargas, Silva, Valdivia, Hernandez, Vidal, Sanchez
12.09amRight, now for the team news...
12.07amAs for Ecuador, they have the worst form in qualification at the moment. The country had originally got off to a flying start, although they have since suffered four defeats in the four qualifiers they have played in 2017. A win would keep them in with a realistic shout, although a defeat would virtually end their chances.
12.05amBoth teams come into the game trying to banish some rather ugly memories of the past year or so. Chile, South America's reigning continental champions, started qualification so brightly, but they have now lost three of their last four matches - inclusive of crushing defeats at the hands of both Paraguay and Bolivia. Victory tonight would leave Chile will a firm chance of reaching Russia, but a loss would seriously pour water on their ambitions.
12.02amThe outcome of this contest will prove to be vital for both teams, who still aspire to reach Russia come next summer. Chile currently hold sixth spot in the standings and will be hoping for a win to take them up towards the fourth-place qualifying ranks. As for Ecuador, a win tonight would ensure that their faint hopes of forcing qualification still remain open.
12.00amGood morning everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Chile's World Cup 2018 qualifying clash with visitors Ecuador in Santiago.
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