England 1-0 Ecuador

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

David Beckham has put England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a stunning free-kick winner against Ecuador.

Beckham struck with a trademark effort, the 17th goal of his England career, to secure a 1-0 victory in the heat of Stuttgart.

It wasn’t the most exciting afternoon of football, played in 90 degrees heat and against dogged opponents.

But all any England fan will remember is that on Sunday 25 June the Three Lions reached the last eight of a World Cup Finals for the second time in a row.

Ecuador certainly made it hard for Sven’s men, keeping them under pressure all match and defending well.

But Beckham provided the inspiration to break the deadlock after 60 minutes when Frank Lampard won a free-kick to the left of the penalty area.

Becks curled in a trademark free-kick which crept just inches inside Cristian Mora’s right-hand post to put England 1-0 up - and within touching distance of the quarter-finals.

Paul Robinson then kept the Three Lions ahead with a superb save - diving full length to his right to keep out a fierce Luis Valencia shot after 65 minutes.

And he survived an injury scare near the end to finish the match and put England in the last eight.

In the first half the Three Lions had found their South American rivals tough to break down in a tense and bitty game.

In energy-sapping heat, Michael Carrick was given holding role in midfield and Owen Hargreaves brought in at right-back.

England had a terrible scare after 11 minutes when John Terry’s miss-placed back-header allowed Ecuador’s star player, Carlos Tenorio in for a free shot on goal.

He looked certain to score but almost from nowhere Ashley Cole raced in to block his effort and send the ball spinning onto the crossbar.

It was an incredible challenge from the Arsenal full-back and undoubtedly saved England from going behind - because goalkeeper Paul Robinson would have been able to do nothing about Tenorio’s shot had his defender not intervened.

England took the warning in their stride but had only a couple of efforts from Gerrard and Lampard to show for their efforts - until Beckham weaved his magic.

After that it was a matter of gritting their teeth and continuing to work incredibly hard to keep ahead.

Nobody typified that determination more than Beckham, who eventually left the pitch to be replaced by Aaron Lennon after 88 minutes - and to a standing ovation.

Eriksson also brought on Jamie Carragher for Joe Cole after 72 minutes and England could have gone 2-0 when Rooney’s superb skill allowed him to beat his man and set up Lampard - only for the Chelsea midfelder to blaze over the bar.

Rooney also had a shot saved as he proved his fitness once and for all by lasting 90 minutes.

It was a battling and brave performance from the Manchester United man, just as it was from each and every single player in the England side.

Sven brought on Stewart Downing for Steven Gerrard in injury time and England also had John Terry, Paul Robinson and Jamie Carragher booked. But the most important stat of all shows Beckham's free-kick has put England through and the journey can continue.

England v Ecuador, FIFA World Cup, Stuttgart, 25 June 2005

England: Paul Robinson, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard (Stewart Downing, 90), Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, David Beckham (c) (Aaron Lennon, 87), Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole (Jamie Carragher, 77), Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick.
Subs not used: David James, Scott Carson, Sol Campbell, Wayne Bridge, Jermaine Jenas, Peter Crouch, Theo Walcott. 

Goals: Beckham 60

Ecuador: Mora, De la Cruz, Hurtado (c), Espinoza, Reasco, Valencia, Edwin Tenorio (Lara, 69), Castillo, Mendez, Delgado, Carlos Tenorio (Kaviedes, 72).
Subs not used: Villafuerte, Ambrossi, Ayovi, Benitez, Borja, Guagua, Kaviedes, Lanza, Lara, Perlaza, Saritama, Urrutia.

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL) 
Assistants: Peter Hermans (BEL) and Walter Vromans (BEL)
Fourth Official: Oscar Ruiz (COL)
Fifth Official: Jose Navia (COL)