Ecuador beat Costa Rica 3-0 on Thursday to clinch qualification for the second phase of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The result means that Ecuador only need to draw with host nation Germany next Tuesday to win Group A by virtue of a superior goal difference, meaning they would avoid England if Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side win Group B.
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.
Veteran striker Agustin Delgado smashed in the second from a tight angle early in the second half, after Edison Mendez had nodded the ball into his path.
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 shot 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 beat 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 on the goal line.
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 just a few feet from the goal.
Costa Rica wasted a golden chance when the unmarked Douglas Sequeira directed his header wide just before half-time.
Ecuador crashed out in the first round in their first World Cup appearance four years ago.
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 now in the group is three, while Ecuador’s is five. — AFP
