But striker Fidel Martinez regained the lead for Ecuador in the second half

Despite conceding two goals as Uruguay fell to a defeat against Ecuador, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera still made a vital contribution after removing a drone from the pitch.

The Galatasaray shot-stopper was called into action after the flying object had landed on the pitch during the clash between the teams.

Ecuador edged Uruguay to make it three wins out of three in South America's qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera still made a vital contribution after removing a drone from the pitch

Muslera was called into action after the flying object had landed on the pitch during the clash with Ecuador

The Galatasaray shot-stopper protests to the referee after picking the drone up from the pitch

Ecuador forward Fidel Martinez kisses the badge on his shirt after scoring the winner against Uruguay

Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani (centre) equalised for Uruguay in the second half

Former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo had opened the scoring for Ecuador in clash against Uruguay

MATCH FACTS ECUADOR: Dominguez, Erazo, Paredes, Achilier, Walter Ayovi, Noboa, Montero (Mena 90), Quinonez (Bolanos 46), Miller Bolanos (Cazares 83), Caicedo, Martinez Subs not used: Banguera, Guagua, Mina Meza, Castillo, Pineida, Jaime Ayovi, Bagui, Gonzalez, Alex, Dreer Goals: Caicedo 23, Martinez 59 Booked: Dominguez, Achilier, Quinonez URUGUAY: Muslera, Godin, Coates, Caceres, Maxi Pereira, Lodeiro (Rolan 63), Sanchez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez (Pereira 89), Hernandez (Santos 86), Cavani Subs not used: Campana, Mayada, Lozano, De Arrascaeta, Stuani, Gaston Silva, Nandez, Martin Silva Goal: Cavani 49 Booked: Maxi Pereira, Godin Referee: Ricardo Marques Advertisement

Former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo and Fidel Martinez were on target for Ecuador either side of Edinson Cavani's headed goal.

Caicedo opened the scoring for the hosts in Quito in the first half after finishing smartly inside the visitors' penalty area.

Watford's Juan Carlos Paredes latched on to a fine through ball and the 28-year-old delivered an inch-perfect pass which was directed home by Caicedo.

Uruguay, who were still without the suspended Luis Suarez, failed to get a grasp on the game in the first half and were dominated by their opponents.

However, the visitors were much better following the restart and it didn't take them long to level the scores in Quito.

Cavani made the most of a lapse in concentration by the Ecuador defenders and nodded home from a free-kick beyond the onrushing Alexander Dominguez.

But Martinez regained the lead for Ecuador in the second half to ensure they kept their 100 per cent record in the qualifying campaign.

Ecuador's Miler Bolanos (left) and Uruguay defender Diego Godin vie for the ball during World Cup qualifier

Paredes, who plies his trade for Premier League club Watford, challenges Martin Caceres for the ball

Caicedo points upwards towards the sky after Watford's Juan Carlos Paredes assisted the striker

The 27-year-old striker - who now plays in La Liga with Espanyol - is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera rushes out the collect the ball as his defenders shield him

Nicolas Lodeiro (left) and Egidio Arevalo Rios attempt to win the ball for Uruguay ahead of Caicedo