Ecuador was the only of six 2014 World Cup 2014 finalists from South America not to reach the knockout stage in Brazil, but it is the best team in South America, now three dates into the start of the2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Uruguay on goals by Felipe Caicedo and Fidel Martinez was itsthird consecutive win and marked it best start to the qualifying phase. Chile missed a chance to maintain a share of the lead when Colombia came from behind to grab a deserved 1-1 draw in Santiago.The Brazil-Argentina game was postponed because of torrential rain in Buenos Aires.