Ecuador upset Poland with 2-0 win
Ecuador began their World Cup campaign with a precious 2-0 win over Group A rivals Poland.
Carlos Tenorio broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a stooping header and Agustin Delgado made the points safe for the South Americans with a simple tap-in 10 minutes from time.
Poland, who have twice finished third at the World Cup, in 1974 and in 1982, enjoyed plenty of possession but were short on ideas in the final third of the pitch, although they did hit the woodwork in the closing stages.
Ecuador, who finished behind Brazil in Argentina in their qualifying group, next face Costa Rica while Poland take on hosts Germany.
In the group's first match earlier on Friday, Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2.
Roared on by the vast majority of fans inside the Veltins Arena, Poland started brightly but Ecuador were the first to threaten, Segundo Castillo's dipping 25-yard volley comfortably saved by Artur Boruc.
Jacek Krzynowek drilled a free-kick wildly over the bar for Poland before Ecuador took the lead.
A long throw-in from the right touchline was flicked on by the gangly Delgado and Tenerio's angled header just eluded Boruc's outstretched hand for his sixth goal in 30 international appearances.
The same goalscoring combination almost doubled Ecuador's advantage five minutes later, but Delgado's cutback from the byline was blazed over the bar by Tenorio from a few yards out.
Ulises De La Cruz, Edison Mendez and Luis Valencia all had shots saved as Ecuador finished the first 45 minutes firmly in control.
Poland had Ecuador under pressure at the start of the second half and came close to levelling the score in the 52nd minute.
Miroslav Szymkowiak's superb through-ball found Krzynowek totally unmarked and clean through on goal, but after slamming the ball into the net his celebrations were cut short by a raised linesman's flag.
Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado showed his vast experience on the hour, sliding in to block Szymkowiak's blistering shot with timely precision and keeping his side's hard-earned lead intact.
Ecuador killed off the contest in the 80th minute when substitute Ivan Kaviedes broke the offside trap before sliding the ball across goal and giving Delgado an easy tap-in.
Polish substitute Pawel Brozek hit the post in the final minute.
Ecuador began their World Cup campaign with a precious 2-0 win over Group A rivals Poland.
Carlos Tenorio broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a stooping header and Agustin Delgado made the points safe for the South Americans with a simple tap-in 10 minutes from time.
Poland, who have twice finished third at the World Cup, in 1974 and in 1982, enjoyed plenty of possession but were short on ideas in the final third of the pitch, although they did hit the woodwork in the closing stages.
Ecuador, who finished behind Brazil in Argentina in their qualifying group, next face Costa Rica while Poland take on hosts Germany.
In the group's first match earlier on Friday, Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2.
Roared on by the vast majority of fans inside the Veltins Arena, Poland started brightly but Ecuador were the first to threaten, Segundo Castillo's dipping 25-yard volley comfortably saved by Artur Boruc.
Jacek Krzynowek drilled a free-kick wildly over the bar for Poland before Ecuador took the lead.
A long throw-in from the right touchline was flicked on by the gangly Delgado and Tenerio's angled header just eluded Boruc's outstretched hand for his sixth goal in 30 international appearances.
The same goalscoring combination almost doubled Ecuador's advantage five minutes later, but Delgado's cutback from the byline was blazed over the bar by Tenorio from a few yards out.
Ulises De La Cruz, Edison Mendez and Luis Valencia all had shots saved as Ecuador finished the first 45 minutes firmly in control.
Poland had Ecuador under pressure at the start of the second half and came close to levelling the score in the 52nd minute.
Miroslav Szymkowiak's superb through-ball found Krzynowek totally unmarked and clean through on goal, but after slamming the ball into the net his celebrations were cut short by a raised linesman's flag.
Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado showed his vast experience on the hour, sliding in to block Szymkowiak's blistering shot with timely precision and keeping his side's hard-earned lead intact.
Ecuador killed off the contest in the 80th minute when substitute Ivan Kaviedes broke the offside trap before sliding the ball across goal and giving Delgado an easy tap-in.
Polish substitute Pawel Brozek hit the post in the final minute.
posted by MOT at 10:04 PM
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