Ecuador against Germany

Germany are looking very good on the counter-attack, helped by the pace of Podolski. They seem a real threat when the opposition waste a corner.

Mendez goes for goal, but the wall directs it away.

Friedrich brings down Lara, who shows a bit of pace on a solo run. Chance to cross here.

No, quite simply. They take it short, Benitez gets nowhere with a dribble and then loses it. A waste.

Friedrich concedes a corner. Could Ecuador yet get a consolation goal?

Neuville almost capitalises on a mistake now, but can't quite keep his footing as he tries to accelerate away.

Ecuador's intentions, you suspect, were clear the moment they named a weakened team. Their minds were already on their last 16 clash, which will now be with the Group B winners.

Podolski finds Neuville in room, but he doesn't notice Urrutia coming back to cover.

Terrific shot from Ballack, struck with power from 30 yards and dipping - but not quite enough.

Neuville is brought down by Espinoza at the other end. Asamoah gets the ball from the free kick, tries a curler and Mora holds on rather too easily.

Borowski, for persistent fouling in the few minutes he has been on, becomes the first German to be booked.

Germany's final change. The winger Asamoah comes on for Schneider, so Ballack will complete the 90 minutes.

Mendez takes it with whip and dip. It lands on the roof of the net and Lehmann had hardly moved.

Borowski brings down Benitez in shooting range and the striker takes a while to get back up on his feet.

All very comfortable for the Germans now. For Ecuador, meanwhile, the liveliest players appear to be the subs.

Ecuador, meanwhile, introduce Urrutia for Ayovi.

The lively Lara makes a break down the right, but Laham, similarly quick, gets back to make the tackle.

Interestingly Ballack, who needs to avoid a booking to play in their next game, was not one of those removed.

Klinsmann rings the changes. On come Borowski and Neuville, off go Frings and Klose.

The sub Lara connects well with a long-range shot, but it goes past the diving Lehmann's pass.

Schweinsteiger's shot hits Podolski. He lays it back to the midfielder, who finds Klose, but then a promising move breaks down.

Ballack chips to the back post but, for once, Podolski isn't in the Ecuador box.

Podolski, looking for his second, is caught offside, but he's really looking dangerous now.

Ecuador make a change, Lara replacing the booked winger Valencia.

Ballack tries his luck from 25 yards, but his shot drops wide.

Well Ecuador may be happy to leave some of their top players on the bench, but they have to improve to prevent a rout.

Great chance for Podolski to make it four, Klose reaching the byline to pull it back for his strike partner. Mora saved his shot.

All three of Germany's goals scored by strikers born in Poland. Whereas people born in Poland who play for Poland don't seem to score very often.

Great counter-attack from the Germans after Huth's block. Schweinsteiger found Schneider in space on the right and his cross was perfect for Podolski.

GOAL - and now Podolski is on target, sliding to convert Schneider's cross.

Espinoza meets the corner but can't direct his pass. Germany, with Huth, get it away.

Mendez has a crack from distance and Lehmann makes a simple save to Tenorio's shot, tipping it over.

Ambrossi slips at the wrong time as Guagua's pass is heading for him. It sails out instead.

Podolski, you sense, rather needs a goal, even if his team don't now. He's yet to get off the mark for this World Cup.

Ballack's deft ball finds Lahm in space, he rolls it back to Podolski on the edge of the box. He shoots... just past the far post.

Ecuador argue about it, but they shouldn't. Ballack, in trying to jump out of the way, did him a favour there as he jumped in.

First booking of the game and it goes to Valencia for a lungeo on Ballack.

And when the third cross comes in, Lehmann punches it away from Espinoza, who is then penalised for handball anyway.

Valencia crosses, Espinoza can't direct his flick-on and Germany get it away.

Germany get the corner away but Ambrossi wins a second with a surge forward on the left flank.

Edwin Tenorio shoots on the turn from 30 yards and Lehmann pushes it over the bar.

Benitez looks for Mendez, but his first pass goes astray and Lahm gets Germany going.

Friedrich's cross sails out for a goal kick, but a tame start to the half by the South Americans.

A chance straight away for Podolski, but he can't dribble through a crowd of defenders. It comes to Schweinsteiger but his shot is tame.

Germany get us going, suitably relaxed by the way that first half went for them.

Ecuador have brought on Benitez for Borja up front and that should be a straight swap. No sign, then of Delgado or Carlos Tenorio.

Half-time and it couldn't have gone much better for the Germans. Klose has struck twice and a weakened Ecuador have done little to worry Klinsmann's men.

Schweinsteiger whips in a free kick that the giant Espinoza heads away in the Ecuador box.

It should all be very easy for the Germans now, as two added minutes are signalled. They will top the group with three wins from three.

He rounded the keeper with ease for a tap-in and Klose is now the top scorer in this World Cup with four.

Schweinsteiger regains possession in the midfield, finds Ballack whose delicate ball through finds Klose onside and it's 2-0

Kaviedes wanders infield, but can't get a cross over the head of Huth.

Still, the sight of two physios behind the goal is good news for Oliver Kahn. Play stops for treatment to Lehmann.

Lehmann, despit having had nothing to do, seems to need medical attention. Odd, to say the least.

Well, with half-time coming, what will Ecuador do? The rested five are options for Suarez but I suspect they won't come on.

Schweinsteiger with the cross, the stooping Espinoza with the header away. It's all one-way traffic.

Kaviedes, from an improbable angle, tries a shot that predictably doesn't bother Lehmann much. A nice afternoon in the sun for the Arsenal man so far.

At the other end Borja tries to slide in Kaviedes. Friedrich recovers to clear.

And now they come forward and Ballack tries to slide in Klose. He can't.

Germany are quite comfortable in possession now, with Ecuador only closing down in their own half.

Guagua comes through the back of Ballack in an aerial challenge. That could have been a booking.

Podolski's long throw finds Frings. It goes on to Friedrich who chips in for Klose to volley way over from 20 yards.

Schneider dinks it in and Borja heads out for a throw.

The overlapping Lahm comes forward again, goes down under a challenge from De La Cruz and wins a free kick.

Schneider and Friedrich link up, the latter gets to the byline and crosses, but Ecuador stand firm at the back.

... but only as far as Ballack who tries to return it into the unguarded goal - but his effort lands on the roof of the net

Ballack plays a really perceptive pass from the centre circle. Podolski chases ahead but Mora comes out to clear.

Podolski should do better as Schneider plays the ball into the Ecuador box, but his touch is poor.

And then a free kick as Schweinsteiger is fouled. Schweinsteiger himself whips it in from the left touchline, it curls past everyone and Huth, at the back post, is unable to make contact.

De La Cruz has to slide in near his own corner flag to halt Klose, but it's a throw.

And the Germans find Schneider, who chips it in looking for Klose... but Mora is quick and brace to claim from the German striker.

Edwin Tenorio nudges Klose in the back. Free kick

Kaviedes drops deep to collect possession and looks for Ambrossi with a through ball. It has just too much weight, though.

Klose latches on to a poor ball and finds Podolski - who he supposedly isn't speaking to - but the latter is offside.

A slight pause while Kaviedes receives treatment and a drink.

The question here is, do Ecuador actually want to come second and face England? Or is their main concern to keep the likes of Delgado and Hurtado available for whoever they face next?

Lahm gets to the byline, whips back a cross to the unmarked Schneider on the edge of the box and he volleys over. Good move, but lacking the finish.

Mendez gets a chance to shoot, but rather gets in wrong. Lehmann isn't troubled.

Ecuador are finally getting a bit of the ball now. De La Cruz does well to find room to cross, but he over-hits it.

De La Cruz crosses but Huth heads away in the German box.

Klose dives at the far post in a bid to get on the end of a Lahm cross, but he can't make contact.

A German corner which Podolski takes. Huth gets his head to an out-swinger, but Mora punches clear.

Mendez passes to Kaviedes, but he is crowded out on the edge of the box.

A long ball almost gives Borja a chance to get in a cross but Huth shepherds it out.

An early comment, but Ecuador's reserves look much less impressive than their first team, who did not concede at all in their first two games.

Ballack feeds the ball over the top. Podolski is quick but Mora can come out to claim.

Germany are harrassing and hassling Ecuador deep in their own half. There's no way out for them.

Ballack hits it and the wall does its job.

It's set up for Ballack who dribbles and is brought down by Valencia for a second free kick.

Now Schweinsteiger is fouled on the edge of the box by Ajovi. A chance to shoot here.

And as things stand, Germany top Group A.

Great first-time finish from Klose from a tight angle, with Schweinsteiger providing the pull-back for him.

Schweinsteiger takes but Mertesacker can only head back. Schneider puts in another cross, Mertesacker puts it back in and Klose fires Germany ahead.

But now Espinoza, under pressure from Klose, concedes a corner.

Ballack chips the ball forward but Espinoza comes across to cover.

At the other end, Klose takes a long ball down before De La Cruz nips in to intercept.

Valencia gets to the byline and gets in a dangerous cross. Lehmann does well to claim ahead of Kaviedes.

Ecuador, Group A's surprise package, get us underway with a very different team.

Germany need to win to top Group A. Second place would probably mean a meeting with England in the last 16.

The sole German change is the inclusion of Huth. Ecuador make five changes.

Ecuador have rested several players for the match that will determine who tops Group A. Germany leave out Metzelder but are otherwise at full strength. Ecuador: Mora, De la Cruz, Espinoza, Ambrossi, Guagua, Valencia, Edwin Tenorio, Ayovi, Mendez, Borja, Kaviedes. Subs: Benitez, Castillo, Delgado, Hurtado, Lanza, Lara, Perlaza, Reasco, Saritama, Carlos Tenorio, Urrutia, Villafuerte. Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Huth, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Frings, Ballack, Schneider, Klose, Podo

Ecuador, meanwhile, introduce Urrutia for Ayovi.

The lively Lara makes a break down the right, but Laham, similarly quick, gets back to make the tackle.

Interestingly Ballack, who needs to avoid a booking to play in their next game, was not one of those removed.

Klinsmann rings the changes. On come Borowski and Neuville, off go Frings and Klose.

The sub Lara connects well with a long-range shot, but it goes past the diving Lehmann's pass.

Schweinsteiger's shot hits Podolski. He lays it back to the midfielder, who finds Klose, but then a promising move breaks down.

Ballack chips to the back post but, for once, Podolski isn't in the Ecuador box.

Podolski, looking for his second, is caught offside, but he's really looking dangerous now.

Ecuador make a change, Lara replacing the booked winger Valencia.

Ballack tries his luck from 25 yards, but his shot drops wide.

Well Ecuador may be happy to leave some of their top players on the bench, but they have to improve to prevent a rout.

Great chance for Podolski to make it four, Klose reaching the byline to pull it back for his strike partner. Mora saved his shot.

All three of Germany's goals scored by strikers born in Poland. Whereas people born in Poland who play for Poland don't seem to score very often.

Great counter-attack from the Germans after Huth's block. Schweinsteiger found Schneider in space on the right and his cross was perfect for Podolski.

GOAL - and now Podolski is on target, sliding to convert Schneider's cross.

Espinoza meets the corner but can't direct his pass. Germany, with Huth, get it away.

Mendez has a crack from distance and Lehmann makes a simple save to Tenorio's shot, tipping it over.

Ambrossi slips at the wrong time as Guagua's pass is heading for him. It sails out instead.

Podolski, you sense, rather needs a goal, even if his team don't now. He's yet to get off the mark for this World Cup.

Ballack's deft ball finds Lahm in space, he rolls it back to Podolski on the edge of the box. He shoots... just past the far post.

Ecuador argue about it, but they shouldn't. Ballack, in trying to jump out of the way, did him a favour there as he jumped in.

First booking of the game and it goes to Valencia for a lungeo on Ballack.

And when the third cross comes in, Lehmann punches it away from Espinoza, who is then penalised for handball anyway.

Valencia crosses, Espinoza can't direct his flick-on and Germany get it away.

Germany get the corner away but Ambrossi wins a second with a surge forward on the left flank.

Edwin Tenorio shoots on the turn from 30 yards and Lehmann pushes it over the bar.

Benitez looks for Mendez, but his first pass goes astray and Lahm gets Germany going.

Friedrich's cross sails out for a goal kick, but a tame start to the half by the South Americans.

A chance straight away for Podolski, but he can't dribble through a crowd of defenders. It comes to Schweinsteiger but his shot is tame.

Germany get us going, suitably relaxed by the way that first half went for them.

Ecuador have brought on Benitez for Borja up front and that should be a straight swap. No sign, then of Delgado or Carlos Tenorio.

Half-time and it couldn't have gone much better for the Germans. Klose has struck twice and a weakened Ecuador have done little to worry Klinsmann's men.

Schweinsteiger whips in a free kick that the giant Espinoza heads away in the Ecuador box.

It should all be very easy for the Germans now, as two added minutes are signalled. They will top the group with three wins from three.

He rounded the keeper with ease for a tap-in and Klose is now the top scorer in this World Cup with four.

Schweinsteiger regains possession in the midfield, finds Ballack whose delicate ball through finds Klose onside and it's 2-0

Kaviedes wanders infield, but can't get a cross over the head of Huth.

Still, the sight of two physios behind the goal is good news for Oliver Kahn. Play stops for treatment to Lehmann.

Lehmann, despit having had nothing to do, seems to need medical attention. Odd, to say the least.

Well, with half-time coming, what will Ecuador do? The rested five are options for Suarez but I suspect they won't come on.

Schweinsteiger with the cross, the stooping Espinoza with the header away. It's all one-way traffic.

Kaviedes, from an improbable angle, tries a shot that predictably doesn't bother Lehmann much. A nice afternoon in the sun for the Arsenal man so far.

At the other end Borja tries to slide in Kaviedes. Friedrich recovers to clear.

And now they come forward and Ballack tries to slide in Klose. He can't.

Germany are quite comfortable in possession now, with Ecuador only closing down in their own half.

Guagua comes through the back of Ballack in an aerial challenge. That could have been a booking.

Podolski's long throw finds Frings. It goes on to Friedrich who chips in for Klose to volley way over from 20 yards.

Schneider dinks it in and Borja heads out for a throw.

The overlapping Lahm comes forward again, goes down under a challenge from De La Cruz and wins a free kick.

Schneider and Friedrich link up, the latter gets to the byline and crosses, but Ecuador stand firm at the back.

... but only as far as Ballack who tries to return it into the unguarded goal - but his effort lands on the roof of the net

Ballack plays a really perceptive pass from the centre circle. Podolski chases ahead but Mora comes out to clear.

Podolski should do better as Schneider plays the ball into the Ecuador box, but his touch is poor.

And then a free kick as Schweinsteiger is fouled. Schweinsteiger himself whips it in from the left touchline, it curls past everyone and Huth, at the back post, is unable to make contact.

De La Cruz has to slide in near his own corner flag to halt Klose, but it's a throw.

And the Germans find Schneider, who chips it in looking for Klose... but Mora is quick and brace to claim from the German striker.

Edwin Tenorio nudges Klose in the back. Free kick

Kaviedes drops deep to collect possession and looks for Ambrossi with a through ball. It has just too much weight, though.

Klose latches on to a poor ball and finds Podolski - who he supposedly isn't speaking to - but the latter is offside.

A slight pause while Kaviedes receives treatment and a drink.

The question here is, do Ecuador actually want to come second and face England? Or is their main concern to keep the likes of Delgado and Hurtado available for whoever they face next?

Lahm gets to the byline, whips back a cross to the unmarked Schneider on the edge of the box and he volleys over. Good move, but lacking the finish.

Mendez gets a chance to shoot, but rather gets in wrong. Lehmann isn't troubled.

Ecuador are finally getting a bit of the ball now. De La Cruz does well to find room to cross, but he over-hits it.

De La Cruz crosses but Huth heads away in the German box.

Klose dives at the far post in a bid to get on the end of a Lahm cross, but he can't make contact.

A German corner which Podolski takes. Huth gets his head to an out-swinger, but Mora punches clear.

Mendez passes to Kaviedes, but he is crowded out on the edge of the box.

A long ball almost gives Borja a chance to get in a cross but Huth shepherds it out.

An early comment, but Ecuador's reserves look much less impressive than their first team, who did not concede at all in their first two games.

Ballack feeds the ball over the top. Podolski is quick but Mora can come out to claim.

Germany are harrassing and hassling Ecuador deep in their own half. There's no way out for them.

Ballack hits it and the wall does its job.

It's set up for Ballack who dribbles and is brought down by Valencia for a second free kick.

Now Schweinsteiger is fouled on the edge of the box by Ajovi. A chance to shoot here.

And as things stand, Germany top Group A.

Great first-time finish from Klose from a tight angle, with Schweinsteiger providing the pull-back for him.

Schweinsteiger takes but Mertesacker can only head back. Schneider puts in another cross, Mertesacker puts it back in and Klose fires Germany ahead.

But now Espinoza, under pressure from Klose, concedes a corner.

Ballack chips the ball forward but Espinoza comes across to cover.

At the other end, Klose takes a long ball down before De La Cruz nips in to intercept.

Valencia gets to the byline and gets in a dangerous cross. Lehmann does well to claim ahead of Kaviedes.

Ecuador, Group A's surprise package, get us underway with a very different team.

Germany need to win to top Group A. Second place would probably mean a meeting with England in the last 16.

The sole German change is the inclusion of Huth. Ecuador make five changes.

Ecuador have rested several players for the match that will determine who tops Group A. Germany leave out Metzelder but are otherwise at full strength. Ecuador: Mora, De la Cruz, Espinoza, Ambrossi, Guagua, Valencia, Edwin Tenorio, Ayovi, Mendez, Borja, Kaviedes. Subs: Benitez, Castillo, Delgado, Hurtado, Lanza, Lara, Perlaza, Reasco, Saritama, Carlos Tenorio, Urrutia, Villafuerte. Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Huth, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Frings, Ballack, Schneider, Klose, Podo