1985. His only appearance was in the 3–0 loss to Germany, replacing Felix Borja midway through the match. His first international goal came in September 2006 against Peru. Then, in April 2007, he scored another goal against Peru in Ecuador's 2–0 win in a friendly match held in the Mini Estadi in Barcelona, Spain. He also scored in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland, also in a friendly, played in New Jersey on 23 May 2006. This added to the belief that he could excel in Europe. Benítez started all three games during the 2007 Copa América, scoring against Chile as Ecuador were eliminated in the first stage, losing all three matches. In an international friendly against El Salvador on 8 September 2007, Benítez scored twice in an emphatic 5–1 home win in Quito. In a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, he scored his country's third goal in a 3–1 win. A month later, he scored the only goal against Chile. Death and legacy On 29 July 2013, Benítez entered a hospital in Doha, Qatar, because of a strong pain in his abdomen. According to Miguel Herrera and other teammates in an interview with Mexican morning show Matutino Express, he did not receive immediate medical attention and a few hours later, Benítez went into respiratory failure. He died from complications leading to cardiac arrest at the age of 27. Tens of thousands of people filed past the body, which lay in a glass-topped casket in the Coliseo General Rumiñahui in Quito, before the public funeral ceremony, which was attended by sporting and political figures including the president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa. The cortege received a police motorcycle escort through crowded streets to a private interment. Following his death, the Ecuadorian Football Federation announced that it would retire his number 11 jersey from the national team. His international teammate Antonio Valencia had Benítez's number tattooed onto his upper arm in tribute after his death. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, due to FIFA regulations, Ecuador had to reinstate number 11 for the squad which was taken by Felipe Caicedo. Career statistics Club International goals Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Benítez goal. Honors Club El Nacional Serie A: 2005 Clausura, 2006 Santos Laguna Mexican Primera División: Clausura 2008 Club América Liga MX: Clausura 2013 Individual Serie A