World Cup South American qualifying Football mistreated its world champions this week, forcing Brazil's players to turn out for their European clubs at the weekend, cross the Atlantic and play a World Cup qualifier at high altitude on Wednesday.
Brazil lost 1-0 to Ecuador at 2,800 metres above sea level in Quito, a result that cost them top spot in the South American World Cup qualifying competition and their unbeaten record.
Midfielder Edison Mendez's well-struck shot from the edge of the area in the 77th minute was enough to give Ecuador victory.
Argentina's 3-2 home win over Venezuela was their 14th in as many meetings between them and took them top of the 10-nation group.
Brazil's defeat was shrugged off by the team, however, as an accident beyond their control and even excused by the normally demanding Brazilian media.
"We finished the year with a defeat, we'll just have to wait for next year to start winning again," striker Ronaldo nonchalantly told Brazilian television, adding he had suffered from a headache and breathing problems during the game.
After a match played largely at walking pace, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira added: "The altitude doesn't decide a match but it influences it."
Brazil's European-based players began their odyssey by playing club matches at the weekend. On Monday morning, they were up before dawn to catch flights to Ecuador, at least 12 hours' flying time. They trained in the tropical city of Guayaquil at sea level on Tuesday before flying to Quito on Wednesday, arriving hours before kick-off.
Matches this weekend include the Spanish clash between arch-rivals Barcelona, featuring Ronaldinho, and Real Madrid, whose team includes Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.
RESULTS: Ecuador 1, Brazil 0; Colombia 1, Bolivia 0; Uruguay 1, Paraguay 0; Peru 2, Chile 1; Argentina 3, Venezuela 2.
South American World Cup zone qualifying
P W D L F A Pts Argentina 11 6 4 1 21 11 22
Brazil 11 5 5 1 19 11 20
Paraguay 11 4 4 3 12 11 16
Ecuador 11 5 1 5 12 11 16
Uruguay 11 4 2 5 16 23 14
Colombia 11 3 4 4 12 11 13
Peru 11 3 4 4 13 13 13
Chile 11 3 4 4 10 11 13
Venezuela 11 4 1 6 13 17 13
Bolivia 11 3 1 7 11 20 10
