June 15: The Daily World Cup Wrap

Another day, another set of late goals. What’s it all about? Who knows, but it makes these games extra-exciting. Maybe it’s a FIFA ploy to punish all those fools who leave games early to “avoid the traffic.”

Daily Wrap Awards:

Top Man: Ivan Kaviedes. For an excellent goal and a touching celebration, that must have taken some serious planning.

Top Team: Ecuador. Who else?

Top Goal: Steven Gerrard. Left foot?

Bit of Skill: Stern John’s back heel finish against England. Off-side, but he didn’t know that.

Saw That Coming: Late goals. Again.

But Not That: Ecuador, top of Group A.

Ecuador vs Costa Rica | LiveBlog | Ecuador World Cup Gear, Costa Rica World Cup Gear

Ecuador 3 (C. Tenorio 8, Delgado 54, Kaviedes 92)
Costa Rica 0

If there was any doubt, Ecuador showed the world that the 2-0 win over Poland was no fluke, and qualified for the knockout stage for the first time. Carlos Tenorio headed home a cross just 8 minutes in, and “La Tri” never really looked back, with Edison Mendez looking imperious in midfield. In the 54th minute Augustin Delgado hammered a shot past Porras’ near post to double Ecuador’s lead and make qualification from Group A a virtual certainty. Costa Rica rarely threatened and Paolo Wanchope, so impressive against Germany’s off-side trap, struggled to get involved

Actual certainty arrived for Ecuador in the 2nd minute of injury time. Mendez crossed from the right, and Kaviedes volleyed home at the far post. He then reached into his shorts and shocked everyone by pulling out a mask, which he wore to celebrate. Kaviedes must have played nearly a whole 45 minutes (he was an early second half sub for the injured Tenorio) with the mask hidden in his underwear or shorts or somewhere to pull that off. Seems the celebration was a tribute to Otilino Tenorio, who was killed in a car crash last year.

A great celebration, and the perfect way to confirm qualification from Group A. Even better, a draw with Germany will see “La Tri” top the group.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo:Ecuador fans with the flag…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Ecuador or Costa Rica team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to Ecudaor and Costa Rica’s next matches.

England vs Trinidad & Tobago | LiveBlog | England World Cup Gear, Trinindad & Tobago World Cup Gear

England 2 (Crouch 83, Gerrard 91)
Trinidad & Tobago 0

England huffed and puffed for 55 minutes, and but for John Terry they would have been 1-0 down at half time. The Chelsea defender acrobatically cleared Stern John’s header off the line to keep the former British colony off the scoreboard. Peter Crouch missed a couple of easy chances, not quite aligning his limbs correctly to volley an easy chance wide. As in England’s game against Paraguay, Frank Lampard was unafraid to shoot from distance, and did so with amazing regularity, but volleyed over when presented with a decent chance in the area.

After 55 minutes Sven-Goran Eriksson had seen enough and sent on Wayne Rooney (who wasn’t expected to play until the knockout stages after a metatarsal break) and Aaron Lennon, bringing off right back Jamie Carragher and a once-more disappointing Michael Owen. Rooney added some class to the England attack with one or two smart passes, but it was Lennon that terrified TnT’s defenders, using his pace down the right.

Trinidad defended well and looked to catch England on the break, and nearly succeded once or twice without ever breaking through. Just as TnT looked to be making yet more history, Beckham crossed deep and Crouch headed home in the 83rd minute, though mercifully he spared us the robot dance. Eight minutes later Gerrard cut inside a defender, then struck a Rosickyesque shot from distance - with his supposedley weaker left foot - that even Shaka Hislop could do nothing about.

Another 3 points for England, and qualification from Group B is theirs, but until Rooney and Lennon joined the action they had looked anything but world champions. Another impressive performance from TnT, who are technically still alive in Group B. They can look forward to their final game with realistic hopes of claiming a first World Cup win over Paraguay

Video highlights here.

Fan Photos:England and TnT fans…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the or team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to England and Trinidad & Tobago’s next matches.

Sweden vs Paraguay | LiveBlog | Sweden World Cup Gear, Paraguay World Cup Gear

Sweden 1 (Ljungberg 89)
Paraguay 0

This insipid affair was decided by yet another late goal when Freddie Ljungberg headed home from close range with a minute to spare. It had looked like Sweden would be frustrated again after Shaka Hislop had produced heroics in the TnT goal to deny them last Saturday. Much was expected of Sweden’s talented, enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming into this tournament, but his nonchalant collection of flicks produced little result in the first half. He was replaced at half time by the busier Marcus Allback, who nearly scored on the hour. He broke a rickety Paraguayan offside trap and lobbed the onrushing Bobadilla, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Caniza, who must have been watching John Terry earlier.

Sweden deserved their win for a more attacking second half display, and now occupy second place in Group B with England still to play. Paraguay can begin packing their bags.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photos: Sweden and Paraguay fans…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the or team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to Sweden and Paraguay’s next matches.

Have a look what today’s results have done to the group tables.

In Other News:

The World Cup live feed wasn’t keen to show him, but our Croatian blog has plenty photos of the guy who beat security.

Harry Redknapp, Theo Walcott’s old boss at Southampton, had some mean things to say about the lad.