England

1-0

Ecuador

Beckham 60

 

 


2006 World Cup Second Round
4pm (BST), Sunday 25 June 2006
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart

David Beckham believes he has answered his critics yet again after scoring the winner against Ecuador to put England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Three Lions captain scored with a trademark free-kick in Stuttgart just days after one or two pundits had questioned his form.

He said: "It was nice to silence a few people who have been critical. I can handle my criticism and I'll prove them wrong.

"It was a great feeling to get a goal and put us into the quarter-final.

"To be honest I have not scored for a while and I not scored many free-kicks this season.

"But last night Wayne Rooney said to me I have been terrible in the last few games and Roberto Carlos texted me to score a goal for him so I am more than happy."

Beckham admitted that he was sick after scoring the winner, adding: "I didn't feel very well before the game and then in the second half and it just came out. I didn't feel well before the game, either.

"But we are through to the quarter finals and that's what matters. It was ugly at times and we didn't play to our full potential, but we are through and we will take that.

"We have beaten a difficult team and we know we can play better. It is job done as far as I am concerned and we are all very happy tonight."