Germany capped a thrilling Group stage by sweeping aside Ecuador 3-0 to top the first section of the FIFA World Cup and to give themselves nine points out of nine.
Klose netted two to become the tournaments out right top scorer whilst darling of the German fans Lucas Podolski also grabbed himself a goal. The result means that Germany now have the luxury of pitting themselves against the second placed team in Group B whilst Ecuador must do battle with the group winners.
After two wins a piece it was important for both teams to keep the momentum going into their final match. Ecuador made six changes to the team which had started their previous two group games in an attempt to ready some of their players for the knock out stages. Germany did the same but kept with the skill of ability of Michael Ballack in midfield feeding the impressive front two.
The game started at a slow pace and Ecuador who if the result was a draw would have finished top seemed satisfied to let Germany make much of the early running. Their tactic of allowing the more favoured team to dictate however collapsed as early as four minutes in with Klose giving the hosts the lead.
After a ball into the box by Ballack was allowed to bounce to freedom at the back post, Schweinsteiger turned it back into the path of Klose who after an excellent first touch was able to swivel and slide a shot into the bottom corner, with the defense static.
Germany pressured again looking to build on their excellent start and Klose was not far away from getting a touch to a great cross by Lahm, though in this instance the defender did just enough to shepherd him off the ball.
Relentless and continued pressure helped to engineer the Germans several more chances but neither Ballack nor Schneider could finish good piece of work down the left hand side from Schweinsteiger and Lahm as Ecuador continued to cling on without really posing too much of a threat.
The Berlin crowed were pleased with the home sides intent but grew restless as Klose fired over the bar when played through by Schneider. He did however make amends for his way wood volley moments before the break with a well taken goal after an inventive pass from the ever influential Michael Ballack. After finding the conventional route to goal blocked Ballack scooped the ball into the path of Klose who shrugged off his man before rounding the keeper and placing the ball in the open net.
Just deserts for Germany who had worked hard for long periods of the half to prevent Ecuador from defending their way out of the game.
The second half pace was some what subdued from that of the majority of the first, Germany still attacked whilst Ecuador looked to slow things down and hit them on the break.
Podolski fired the best chance of the opening moments wide when choosing to place instead of drive a cut back from Lahm towards goal. Rolling just wide of the keepers reach Podolski was unlucky to just miss the far post.
He was however rewarded for his excellent contribution to team play five minutes later though as a ball from Schneider was played into his path enabling him to stretch out a right foot and beat the keeper for number three.
The German’s relentless attacking subsided for a brief while and Ecuador finally managed to register a note worthy shot on goal through Mendez whose free kick tickled the roof of Jens Lehman’s net in the dying minutes.
However they were to be denied on this day as German fans celebrated another momentous occasion in World Cup 2006 and awaited of tomorrow’s games to see who they will be taking on in the next round.
After two wins a piece it was important for both teams to keep the momentum going into their final match. Ecuador made six changes to the team which had started their previous two group games in an attempt to ready some of their players for the knock out stages. Germany did the same but kept with the skill of ability of Michael Ballack in midfield feeding the impressive front two.
The game started at a slow pace and Ecuador who if the result was a draw would have finished top seemed satisfied to let Germany make much of the early running. Their tactic of allowing the more favoured team to dictate however collapsed as early as four minutes in with Klose giving the hosts the lead.
After a ball into the box by Ballack was allowed to bounce to freedom at the back post, Schweinsteiger turned it back into the path of Klose who after an excellent first touch was able to swivel and slide a shot into the bottom corner, with the defense static.
Germany pressured again looking to build on their excellent start and Klose was not far away from getting a touch to a great cross by Lahm, though in this instance the defender did just enough to shepherd him off the ball.
Relentless and continued pressure helped to engineer the Germans several more chances but neither Ballack nor Schneider could finish good piece of work down the left hand side from Schweinsteiger and Lahm as Ecuador continued to cling on without really posing too much of a threat.
The Berlin crowed were pleased with the home sides intent but grew restless as Klose fired over the bar when played through by Schneider. He did however make amends for his way wood volley moments before the break with a well taken goal after an inventive pass from the ever influential Michael Ballack. After finding the conventional route to goal blocked Ballack scooped the ball into the path of Klose who shrugged off his man before rounding the keeper and placing the ball in the open net.
Just deserts for Germany who had worked hard for long periods of the half to prevent Ecuador from defending their way out of the game.
The second half pace was some what subdued from that of the majority of the first, Germany still attacked whilst Ecuador looked to slow things down and hit them on the break.
Podolski fired the best chance of the opening moments wide when choosing to place instead of drive a cut back from Lahm towards goal. Rolling just wide of the keepers reach Podolski was unlucky to just miss the far post.
He was however rewarded for his excellent contribution to team play five minutes later though as a ball from Schneider was played into his path enabling him to stretch out a right foot and beat the keeper for number three.
The German’s relentless attacking subsided for a brief while and Ecuador finally managed to register a note worthy shot on goal through Mendez whose free kick tickled the roof of Jens Lehman’s net in the dying minutes.
However they were to be denied on this day as German fans celebrated another momentous occasion in World Cup 2006 and awaited of tomorrow’s games to see who they will be taking on in the next round.