Initially, it looked like the qualifying campaign was all set to pass Hurtado by.

He performed dismally in a friendly against Honduras and was therefore left out of the opening tie against Venezuela.

Ecuador triumphed without him but he was recalled and kept his place for the remaining 17 fixtures, putting in a series of scintillating performances and being rewarded with the captaincy for a time.

An elegant all-rounder at centre back, he is not always dynamic on the break or in the air.

But Ecuador will rely heavily on his experience - the 27-year-old is approaching his 90th cap.