The deciding factors in this match were easily:
1) Ashley Cole's formidable tackle, which effectively prevented Carlos Tenorio from scoring an early goal for Ecuador, and
2) David Beckham's unworldly ability to drop the ball perfectly into the back of the net on a set-play, which today allowed him to score the match's only goal for England. Beckham's brilliant shot from 30 yards out made him the first player from England to score a goal in three World Cup tournaments. It also saved the Brits in the tourney. Somewhat miraculously, England now advances to a quarter-final match against Portugal.
Why a miracle? During the entire match England looked lethargic and discombobulated in the heat. Apart from the goal, Beckham of course contributed nothing. Lampard was somewhere out in the ether, missing several opportunities on goal. Gerrard made some minor offensive efforts, yet they were fruitless seeing the lack of cohesion throughout the rest of the team. Since England's midfield failed to coordinate offensively, the lone Rooney was disconnected from the majority of play.
Despite the weaknesses on the English side, Ecuador's heat advantage, and Ecuador's possession of the ball nearly 1/2 of the match, the South Americans just couldn't muster the kind of effort required to capitalize and advance to the next round. All in all, absent Beckham's beauty shot, I think this game was a dud. So farewell Ecuador, and good luck to you England. You're going to need it.
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Regardless of Beckham's puking incident due to the onset of heat-stroke, and not his general disgust with the quality of play as rumored, I am compelled to metion that this English captain is a d-r-e-a-m-b-o-a-t. The man is dead sexy even while dry-heaving.
Agreed. He makes me moist.
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