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QUITO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Defender Jose Manuel Rey scored from an astonishing free kick near the halfway line to give Venezuela a shock 1-0 win away to Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
The Cyprus-based defender's goal ended a six-year unbeaten home record for Ecuador, whose last defeat in their own country was against Argentina in August 2001.
Rey stunned the Atahualpa stadium in the 67th minute when he took a free kick around five metres inside the Ecuador half.
His dipping effort caught goalkeeper Daniel Viteri napping and flew into the top corner as Venezuela, the only South American country who have never played at the World Cup, made a perfect start to their campaign to qualify for South Africa.
Ecuador dominated the first half and nearly went ahead when Edison Mendez crashed a 35-metre free kick against the underside of the bar and Christian Benitez headed the rebound at goalkeeper Renny Vega.
The home dominance continued after the break as Carlos Tenorio turned Mendez's low cross narrowly wide of the post and Vega made a good save to keep out a Vega header.
Ecuador, who qualified for the last two World Cups, appeared to panic after falling behind and created few chances, although Benitez missed an opportunity to equalise when he sent a free header wide of Vega's goal.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Rio de Janeiro)
