ENGLAND v ECUADOR - MATCH REPORT
Report by Pez

England battled to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a single goal from captain David Beckham, a trademark freekick which was a ray of light in a match which was otherwise poor.

It was England who started the brighter in the sweltering conditions, keeping the ball well, and Frank Lampard almost slipped in lone-striker Wayne Rooney, but his pass was just too heavy. Ecuador however should have taken the lead, after being given a golden chance by the England defence. A ball over the top found the head of John Terry, but his header looped up in the air and fell in the path of Carlos Tenorio. Paul Robinson stayed on his line as Tenorio steadied himself to shoot, and thankfully for the England goalkeeper, a heroic late Ashley Cole challenge deflected the ball on to cross bar for a corner kick.

A well-worked set piece gave Joe Cole a chance with his head, but he couldn't get the better of his marker and his header went backwards. England were denied a chance when Hurtado gave the ball away to Rooney, and his through ball was handled, though accidentally by Giovany Espinoza to deny a free Gerrard receiving the all in the area. Ecuador had spell of dominance towards the end of the half, Paul Robinson came and flapped at a cross but Ferdinand headed away, and Ecuador failed to score from the two successive corners and the teams went in after a disappointing first half at 0-0.

England had a chance early in the second half, with Gerrard powering down the left, there was no one on the end of his low cross. Ecuador were still looking dangerous and forced a few corners, but it was England that eventually got the all important first goal. Lampard was fouled in 'Beckham territory', and the Real Madrid man hit a free-kick of perfection in to the bottom right corner, the ball could not have been further towards the near post as Beckham scored his first England free kick for three years, and became the first man to score for England in three separate world cups.

With the players overjoyed at the goal, England were buoyed and Lampard had a chance after a Gerrard knock down, but his shot bobbled wide. Robinson made a diving save from Luis Valencia as Ecuador sought to find an equaliser. Lampard missed another effort as fantastic work from Rooney left him with the goal at his mercy. Rooney nut-megged his opponent by the corner flag, and with Lampard free on the edge of the area, he received a weighted pass and blasted it over the bar.

Ecuador were making plenty of half chances, Luis Valencia beat substitute Jamie Carragher and cut inside, and his pull back was scuffed wide by Agustin Delgado. The likes of Gerrard and Lampard were keen to force a second goal, and too often gave possession away, while Sven Goran Eriksson introduced Aaron Lennon late on to stretch the game, with Beckham, who was sick after the goal, departing.

England played out time, Lennon and Gerrard made a point of keeping the ball in the corner, and the introduction of Stewart Downing was simply made to waste more time. The final whistle blew to chants of 'Football's coming home' from England supporters, as their team reached the quarter-final of the World Cup.

Man Of The Match: Michael Carrick - It was his introduction to the starting 11 that allowed England to play their new formation. With a range of passing which was unrivalled by the bigger names of Lampard and Beckham, he gave the attacking players the service that they were too often starved of, and if this formation is used again, Michael Carrick is surely a certainty for the holding role.

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere
Venue: Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion
Attendance: 52,000

BACK TO WORLD CUP INDEX PAGE