Everyone took their hat off to a wonderful Argentina side and kept focused on the task ahead.
Ecuador fell behind against Uruguay on the big day, when they needed just a draw to qualify.
The crowd were unshaken, but stirred into helping the team score the vital equaliser.
That night in Quito the party was long and frenzied.
There were plenty of demons to exorcise; economic worries, political problems and decades of footballing frustration were cast out in an orgy of broken bottles.
On Wednesday coach Gomez and his men return to Quito for the first time since qualification was sealed.
Brazilian club Internacional provide the opposition for a game where the result hardly matters.
It is more of a party than a warm-up.
Two days later it is the turn of Guayaquil, the country's other major city, to see the national team.
Ecuador began their warm-up programme in the Pacific port with a game against Guatamala in January.
Now Guayaquil hosts the send off against local side Barcelona.
Supporters in both cities will take the opportunity to remind the players of what is possible.
And coach Gomez will bask in the feeling of confidence supplied by the fans, bottle it, and try to take it to Japan.