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World Cup: Ecuador earns very first place in knockout stages

Scorer Ivan Kaviedes, left, celebrates with teammates Edwin Villafuerte, right, and Damian Lanza after the Group A match between Ecuador and Costa Rica in Hamburg on Thursday. PHOTO: EPA

Group A
Ecuador 3, Costa Rica 0

Ecuador qualified for the second phase of the World Cup for the first time in their history after sweeping aside Costa Rica 3-0 on Thursday.

Ecuador will win Group A on goal difference if they can draw with host nation Germany next Tuesday, meaning they would avoid England if Sven-Goran Eriksson's side finish top of Group B.

Agustin Delgado, the veteran striker who scored the second goal, was confident his nation could spring a shock and force Germany into the runner-up spot.

"I think we can win that game and win the group," said the 31-year-old Delgado, who is to retire from international soccer after the World Cup.

"It is going to be a really great game against Germany because we have both already qualified," he said.

Ecuador's Colombian coach Luis Suarez said he would rest some players for the Germany match.

"I was worried at the end of the game because some of the players had cramp, so with the last 16 in mind some of them are going to rest. We have achieved our goal, and we have already reached the target the country set for us, but we want to reach greater heights," he said.

"We want to go a lot further and make history," Suarez said.

The impressive South Americans took the lead when Carlos Tenorio notched his second goal of the tournament, heading in a curling cross from the right by Luis Valencia with just eight minutes gone.

Delgado smashed home the second from a tight angle early in the second half after Edison Mendez had nodded the ball into his path and substitute Ivan Kaviedes wrapped up the scoring with a powerful shot in stoppage time.

Costa Rican substitute Alvaro Saborio hit the crossbar with a looping effort five minutes from the end, but his team and Poland will now only be playing for pride when they meet in Hanover on Tuesday.

Ecuador, who eased past Poland 2-0 in their first match, dominated the match.

Costa Rican goalkeeper Cristian Mora had to scramble to save on 40 minutes when a deflected cross from Valencia almost caught him out.

Delgado, who was a flop with English club Southampton, could have made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time, but he failed to connect properly from the six-yard box.

Germany beat Poland 1-0 on Wednesday, giving them two victories in two games.

But the Germans only beat Costa Rica 4-2 in their opening match, meaning that their goal difference in the group is now three, while Ecuador's is five.
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