Cathal Dennehy: For 90 minutes, a country's problems can be forgotten

It's been a tough year for Ecuador, and a few weeks here has shown me the very best of its natural beauty along with the warmth of its inhabitants, who've also given me a crash course on its ugly side.

World Cup qualifier between Ecuador and Paraguay at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. Picture: Cathal Dennehy

“No tienes miedo... caminando?” asks the taxi driver, as we sit in heavy traffic in Quito, ahead of the World Cup qualifier between Ecuador and Paraguay. 

I'm starting to get antsy.