England found a way to win and were helped by the fact that Ecuador went to sleep in the second half. And Oh! Yes, no Peter Crouch. Sven kept Rooney on and that was the best thing that England did all day. Beckham’s free kick was a beauty and squeezed past a a sliver of spave between Mora and the near post. Beck’s day was done and he spent the rest of the time fighting off the heaves.
Not a terribly impressive win but an effective one I suppose. But one can’t help but wonder what would happen if England met Germany, Spain, or Argentina, the way those teams are playing. It might be a long day for English fans. Some answers are crystallizing, Rooney is a threat by himself and will do better without Crouch. But Gerrard and Lampard have to do better with their passes and the chances that Rooney creates for them. Lampard was off through the whole match. Lennon showed with the few minutes what he is capable of doing.
It’s curtains for Ecuador and the big men Tin Delgado, Valencia, both Tenorio’s did not really show up for this match. But all kudos to them to get to the round of 16. As for England they move on but uneasily.