Germany vs. Ecuador

by Golden Goal | June 20, 2006 at 06:43 am

2307 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Ecuador and Germany are already through to the next round, but face each other in their third group match to decide who is to take the top spot in Group A. Against all expectations, Ecuador lead after two games and a draw would be enough for them to win this group.

Golden Goal reporting:

Another Monday starts and another week of World Cup action kicks off. The tournament is really heating up as teams are fighting for their the final spots and a shot at glory. However, there is much to be decided in this final set of action before the knock out rounds begin.

Over the weekend,

Saturday: Portugal 2 - Iran 0

Czech Republic 0 - Ghana 2

Italy 1 - USA 1

Sunday: Japan 0 - Croatia 0

Brazil 2 - Australia 0

France 1 - South Korea 1

Monday: The first game on Monday witnessed Switzerland finishing strong with a 2- 0 win over Togo. Togo will be sent home, but they have played well and should be a bit disappointed, but also proud of their run at the World Cup this year. While the Swiss will be moving on to the next round with one game left to play...

The Ukrainians had had a tough time after losing their opening game by four goals, and the papers at home were not at all kind to this team, calling them all kinds of dis-heartening names. So it was not suprising that this team came out blazing, scoring four goals of their own, showing their criticsa thing or two about football, and possibly securing a spot in the next round: Saudi Arabia 0 - Ukraine 4

It had appeared that Tunisia would be playing the role of the upset kid yesterday. However it was Spain who returned in the second half to play a complete game. Once they got the scoring ball rolling it was all over for Tunisia as the Spanish team was lead by El nino (Torres), and secured the number one spot in the next Round of 16: Spain 3 - Tunisia 1

Check back for score updates and if you are at the World Cup or
anywhere in the world enjoying the Tournament you can share your
photographs, video, or audio with the world.

Also if you are mobile. You can share live updates or photographs fromBerlin on your mobile phone by grabbing this NP#62793 And then emailing your photographs or video from your mobile-

to: news@nowpublic.com

Body of the email- NP!62793

Once you click send you will update this story live from anywhere in the world.

Let the fun begin. Ecuador/Germany!

4th Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

Germany is setting the pace today, looking to grab a number one spot as the home favorite. Klose (11) takes a nice pass from teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger and does the best he can by knocking in a close range goal...

44th Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

And with time running thin in this half, Klose (11) scores again as he was fed a grand pass from his teammate Michael Ballack. The goal keeper for Ecuador came out of the net to meet the striker, but Klose zipped around him and finished strong to put the upstart Germans savely ahead 2-0...

They are at halftime in Berlin with team Germany leading team Ecuador 2-0. Ecuador will need to reallt set the tempo if they are going to try and steal this game back. A first place finish is still on the line for both teams...

Halftime: Germany 2 - Ecuador 0

The second half is set to start. Will the Germans play back and slow the pace in order to hold the lead? Ecuador needs to show the spark, which they seemed to have in the first two games of this tournament as they secured a knock out round birth and a position within the final sixteen teams...

Ecuador is moving much better this half, and with a strike from 30 yards out by a well positioned Ecuadorian striker which slapped off the German keepers gloves then perhaps the atmosphere is changing... Of course this team from Ecuador does not want to suffer a large defeat. After playing so well in the first two games they would need to take some momentum with them as they enter the final groups...

55th minute

Again, Ecuador tests the German keeper from the top of the penalty area, and again the strike is on target but is blocked out of the net by the German keeper...

The Germans are on the counter...

57th Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

With a super effective counter attack Germany has all but shut the door on this game, and sealed a first place spot. Podolski (20) is set up by a beautiful pass across the pitch at the penalty entrance. He was asking for the ball early, and he got the right pass at the right time as Podolski slammed the ball in past the Ecuadorian goalie for a 3-0 lead...

78th Minute

Germany is enjoying this lead, and in fact they are still pushing the tempo against this team from Ecuador.

And the final minutes are wrapping up as Germany will be filled to the brim with celebration tonight. The streets will be alive for a great party atmosphere as Germany has secured the number one spot for the round of sixteen. It was a bit suprising that Ecuador did not really show up after playing so well in the opening two games. But they will be advancing as well, and they will need to put this game past them and prepare for the elimination round where there is no recovery from a loss...

Final Score: Germany 3 - Ecuador 0