Juan Carlos Paredes played the full 90 minutes as Ecuador kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a famous 2-0 victory in Argentina last night.

The Watford defender, who has been limited to two substitute outings in the Premier League to date, played at right-back as two goals in the space of as many minutes late on from Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo gave Ecuador their first qualifying triumph on Argentine soil in seven attempts.

Furthermore, FIFA’s website reported it was also the first time the hosts – featuring the likes of Javier Macherano, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero, who was stretchered off in the first half with a hamstring injury, in their starting XI – had been beaten in 40 World Cup preliminary matches in Buenos Aires since losing to Colombia in 1993.

Paredes and his countrymen will aim to make it back-to-back qualifying wins when they entertain Bolivia on Tuesday.

There was disappointment for Odion Ighalo earlier in the day as Nigeria turned in a poor display and were beaten 2-0 at home by DR Congo in a friendly.

The Hornets striker had a quiet first half in which Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkololo had established a two-goal lead for the visitors, but Ighalo went close to netting his second international goal after the break when his effort was saved by keeper Parfait Mandanda.

The defeat was Sunday Oliseh’s first in charge of the Nigerian national side and they will be looking to put in a much-improved performance on Sunday when they take on Cameroon.

To read about Craig Cathcart's involvement in a famous night for Northern Ireland football, click here.