Blazing Cannons is proud to partner with Blogmint, for its competition, Bloggers World Cup. Blazing Cannons will cover all the matches of Ecuador in the group stages.
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Honduras 1 (Costly 31) – 2 Ecuador (Valencia 34, 65)
Ecuador registered a vital victory over Honduras in Curitiba to keep their hopes of qualification to the next round alive. Honduras, without star midfielder Wilson Palacios, who turns out for Stoke City in the Premier League, made two changes, with Jorge Claros replacing Palacios, and Houston Dynamo forward Oscar Boniek Garcia being replaced by Anderlecht striker Andy Najar.
Ecuador, who had to deal with a last minute loss to Switzerland made only one change to their lineup, as Chivas USA midfielder Oswaldo Minda replaced Carlos Armando Gruezo Arboleda.
Enner Valencia, who scored against Switzerland, had the first real chance of the match, as he collected a long pass from Frickson Erazo, but with only Honduran custodian Noel Valladares to beat, the Pachuca forward failed to convert. Ecuador were using their pace to good effect, with counters, as disciplined Honduras looked happy to keep possession.
The Hondurans had their first real go on goal in the 27th minute, but centre back Victor Bernardez could only head wide. The game had just sparked into life, and Honduras took full advantage of this, racing into a 31st minute lead. Brayan Beckeles spotted Carlo Costly, who beat experienced centre half Jorge Guagua before rifling a powerful shot past Alexander Domininguez, who had pulled off several important saves against Switzerland.
An interesting stat here, as Honduras scored their first goal in 510 minutes of play in the World Cup, also their first goal after 32 long years. The joy was shortlived though, as Ecuador immediately hit back. Enner Valencia was first to react to a shot from Juan Carlos Paredes from the right, and he tapped home the equalizer.
Honduras had the final effort of a frantic first half, as Costly’s header off a Beckeles pass struck the post, and New England Revolution striker Jerry Bengston thought he had scored when he put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out, a correct decision from Australian referee Ben Williams.
Domininguez kept out a long range effort from the lively Beckeles, and Ecuador looked upset at not being awarded a penalty when former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo was bought down in the 58th minute.
Bengston forced Domininguez into another save, but just seconds later, Enner Valencia scored, what would be the winner for Ecuador as he latched on to a Walter Ayovi cross from a set piece. It was his 7th goal in 6 international games, and his 3rd in the tournament.
He is also joint top scorer, along with the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller and Karim Benzema.
Ecuador are currently joint 2nd behind France, who thrashed Switzerland 5-2, and know they will have to put on a solid display against France to qualify to the next round.
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