Brazil vs. Ecuador: Score, Recap and Post-Match Reaction

Tuesday's friendly between Brazil and Ecuador took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

In an exhibition that provided fans in a big American market with a glimpse into international football, Brazil prevailed 1-0 on the strength of a goal by Willian in the 31st minute.

World Cup superstar and Barcelona prodigy Neymar chipped the ball over a gaggle of Ecuador defenders off a nifty pass from Oscar, and Willian put it in the bottom far corner to beat goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.

ESPN's Janusz Michallik was more impressed with this showdown than some of the other high-stakes football being played around the globe:

Paulo Freitas of Sky Sports was critical of the victors despite a gritty effort in a match that didn't bear much significance in the grand scheme:

Neymar had a chance to blow the match open with a golden opportunity and vacant net in front of him during the second half. Unfortunately for the Selecao faithful, Bleacher Report UK shows that he was unable to capitalize:

Brazil advanced to the World Cup semifinals only to lose by a combined 10-1 score in the next two matches. Before Tuesday's match, Neymar told reporters that it'd take time for his side to rebound and hinted at his expanding role in the turnaround:

"

It's hard to change everything as we have only had one week of training and one game together so far.

We're adapting ourselves to the new coach [Dunga]. We listen to the things he asks us to do, and keep trying to improve our performances. ...

A lot of things have changed for me in recent times. I have learnt a lot of things in the past three or four years.

I think I have grown up a lot and become a professional. I have been learning so much from other senior players in the national team and at my club sides. I feel I have changed a lot.

"

It looks like at least some of the elements are jelling together for Brazil, who have plenty of time to recover for the next World Cup years down the road. Having a creative striker in Neymar will help the cause.

Making his debut in the starting XI in Tuesday's friendly, Marquinhos led a stalwart Brazilian defence that denied Ecuador's attack time and again when the underdogs tried to notch the equaliser.

According to ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson, taking on added responsibility is becoming a theme for the 20-year-old:

Defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo also loomed large for Brazil. The towering 27-year-old played with maximum effort before exiting for Fernandinho in the 73rd minute, setting the tone with immense intensity.

A defence missing the injured David Luiz and dismissed Maicon figured to harm Brazil's chances to keep a clean sheet. That turned out not to be the case, and it has to be encouraging that Marquinhos and the others stepped up at such a young age.

"

Brazil's Dunga already looking 10 times less defensively vulnerable than the World Cup side. No spaces for counters. Superb defending.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) September 10, 2014"

Even in a match with no bearing on any international competition, there was pride and intensity on the line.

It's something the Selecao will likely carry with them after being embarrassed at the end as World Cup hosts.

Winger Joao Rojas helped Ecuador push forward better after the half-time intermission, yet it wasn't quite enough to generate any tangible production for La Tri. Veteran Walter Ayovi had a chance at a free-kick from relatively close range about five minutes from full-time, but blasted it over the woodwork.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Brazil weren't going to be denied in this one on either end of the pitch, which was evident as the evening wore on.

Both sides can take something positive from this outcome. Ecuador should not be down despite being on the losing end because they played a quality opponent well. Meanwhile, Brazil won their second straight friendly to go with a previous 1-0 win over Colombia.

In what was a clean match without any yellow cards until Frickson Erazo's foul on Neymar in the 81st minute, the line between physicality and recklessness was toed brilliantly by all parties.

The quality of football will only increase as Brazil and Ecuador gain more chemistry, so Tuesday's clash served its purpose for fans and players alike.

Stats and match information are courtesy of Goal.