Dominant Germany too strong for Ecuador

20 June 2006 17:51

Lukas Podolski celebrates scoring the third goal with coach Jurgen Klinsmann (Action Images)

BERLIN, Jun 20 (SW) - Germany have easily conquered the top position in Group A with a convincing 0-3 win over Ecuador. Miroslav Klose scored twice, and Lukas Podolski added another.

Ecuador had a good start and threatened the German goal in the very first minute, but the attack ended as the defense cleared.

0-1 Miroslav Klose 4th minute

But three minutes later, it was Germany to open the score. Bastian Schweinsteiger passed to striker Miroslav Klose, who could easily score from close range.

The Germans got a free kick in the 7th minute, when Luis Valencia fouled Michael Ballack. The playmaker himself however, failed to strike over the defensive wall.

From here on, Germany controlled and kept Ecuador away from their goal. In the 19th minute, Philipp Lahm tried a shot from about 14 meters, but the effort lacked precision.

Nine minutes later, Bastian Schweinsteiger took a free kick on the left wing and the cross was almost headed home by defender Robert Huth.

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann seemed to be pain after a bad landing when punching away the ball, but after a quick treatment, he could continue.

0-2 Miroslav Klose 44th minute

Exactly forty minutes after his first goal, Klose scores his second. Captain Michael Ballack's pass finds the forward, who first beats the goalkeeper and then scores his fourth goal of the tournament.

Four minutes into the second half, Ecuador came close to getting one back as Edwin Tenorio launched a shot on goal but Lehmann made a good save.

In the 51st minute, Michael Ballack was the victim of a bad tackle by Luis Valencia, who got away with a yellow card. Ballack was able to continue but seemed affected.

Three minutes later, Lukas Podolski had a chance to extend Germany's lead, but his strike from outside the area went just wide of the right post.

0-3 Lukas Podolski 57th minute

But in the 57th minute, the young forward was more successful. Bernd Schneider comes down the right wing and his cross finds Podolski, who slides in to score his first goal ever at a World Cup.

With 22 minutes left, Klinsmann made his first two changes and took off Miroslav Klose and Torsten Frings for Oliver Neuville and Tim Borowski.

After his eight cards at France versus Switzerland, referee Valentin Ivanov was a lot milder in this match with only two cards given after 75 minutes. The second went to Germany's Borowski for a foul on Kaviedes.

Germany took it easy in the final phase as the win and the first position in the group had been secured.

In the 87th minute, the Germans did come close to scoring a fourth as Michael Ballack tried a shot from outside the area, but goalkeeper Mora showed what he is actually capable of with a good save.

The final whistle sounded five minutes later and Germany achieved a convincing victory to take the first place in Group A.