Ecuador entered this match in a must win situation after losing their opener to Switzerland in a heart-breaker, while Honduras was thumped by France and needed to win to stay alive. Now, Honduras hadn’t scored a World Cup goal since 1982. Naturally, Ecuador would be the favorites to win this match, especially with their backs against the wall. Both teams would play possibly the filthiest game of this edition of the FIFA World Cup. A total of five yellow cards and countless sliding fouls were witnessed and the second half was very sloppy. Bad passes, lack of communication, but that did not discount how special this match was for Ecuador.
The game started off with Ecuador controlling the ball but the advantage would slowly diminish in the middle of the first half. Enner Valencia would have the first true scoring opportunity for Ecuador, as he would be able to slightly breakaway from his defender but only to have the ball sail just over the goal post. Not long after, Honduras would put their scoreless streak to rest. Carlo Costly would receive a long ball on the 31st minute that would result him in breaking away and putting it into the back of the net.
This would be Honduras’ first World Cup goal in 510 minutes but their high hopes would be put down immediately. Enner Valencia would find a through ball kicked by teammate Juan Carlos Paredes. After 2 slight deflections, Valencia would slide and kick the ball in for the equalizer.
The second half would be much of the same. Both sides with just about equal control of the ball but Valencia would strike once again. In the 64th minute, Oscar Garcia would foul Jefferson Montero, conceding a free kick just outside of the penalty box to Ecuador. In the set piece situation, Walter Ayovi would send a kick that Valencia would meet with a header to give Ecuador the 2-1 lead and eventual game winning goal.
As I stated above, the game was very special. Nearly one year ago Ecuadorian star Christian “Chucho” Benitez passed away from cardiac arrest, which resulted from respiratory failure. Ecuador, playing with a heavy heart, has dedicated this World Cup to the fallen star and they definitely performed this evening.
Unfortunately for Honduras, they are the only CONCACAF team that qualified for the World Cup that has not won a match and will face Switzerland, who is also looking to claim a spot into the knockout rounds. Ecuador, on the other hand, gets the three points and is second in Group E as they have the advantage over the Swiss in goal differential. Ecuador will face France, the group leader who defeated Switzerland 5-2.
France is virtually into the knockout rounds with a +6 goal differential. Ecuador sits at second with their goal differential at 0, while Switzerland is at -2. Honduras, at 0 points and a -4 GD, is still in it but will face an uphill battle.
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh