ECUADOR 3-0 COSTA RICA

Carlos Tenorio, Agustin Delgado and Ivan Kaviedes scored the goals that secured the South Americans’ progress from Group A. Their victory means that they and hosts Germany become the first two teams to book their places in the last 16 – and ends Costa Rica and Poland’s hopes of advancing.

Luis Suarez’s men did not look back after taking an eight-minute lead through Tenorio’s header. Delgado doubled the advantage with a fine near-post finish on 54 minutes and Ivan Kaviedes volleyed the third goal two minutes into added time.

The match:
8’: After a nervy opening, Ecuador drew first blood with a fine bit of interplay. Some positive approach work up the right from Luis Valencia ended with an inch-perfect cross for Tenorio, who headed his second goal of the finals from close range. (1-0)

26’: Some positive running and productive ball work from Korea/Japan 2002 veteran Ronald Gomez nearly set up Paulo Wanchope but the leggy striker was just unable to stretch enough to reach the ball and it trickled out for a goal kick.

29’: Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes, keen to jump start an ailing attack, withdrew Danny Fonseca in favour of a third striker, Alvaro Saborio, in an early tactical change.

35’: Edison Mendez had a decent chance to increase Ecuador’s lead, but his viciously-struck free-kick from distance sailed over the bar without worrying goalkeeper Jose Porras too much.

Ecuador pull away:
50’: Costa Rica came out trumpeting their intentions of dragging themselves back into the match. Gomez took a slipped pass from Wanchope and slammed a shot towards goal from about 25 yards. Although it had Cristian Mora scrambling across his goal, the effort went wide.

53’: Not to be outdone, the Ecuadorians marched up the other way and nearly got a goal of their own. However, Delgado’s acrobatic volley was gathered well by Porras.

54’: The second Ecuador goal was not long in coming, however, as they made their class in attack pay off. From a throw-in, Mendez collected the ball near the right-hand corner of the penalty area and slipped a pass in to Delgado, who chested the ball down and hammered it past Porras at the near post from a tough angle. (2-0).

59’: Mauricio Solis tried to hit back for the Ticos. Racing through up the right channel, his shot had to be scrambled away by Mora.

70’: Ecuador’s second-half substitute Kaviedes had the ball in the net after collecting a nice through-ball, but the flag was up for offside.

90 +2 Instead, a third goal came at the other end as Mendez crossed brilliantly from the right for Kaviedes, who struck with a superb volley at the back post. He then celebrated by donning a yellow mask stashed in his sock. (3-0)

In conclusion:
The victory sees Ecuador and Germany become the first two teams assured of spots in the second round of these finals. It is a historic moment for the Ecuadorians on only their second appearance on the world stage.

(Fifaworldcup.com)