The 2006 World Cup in Germany
A booksmusicfilmstv.com surreal take on the footie fest in Germany
Reports on all England's games: England 1 Paraguay 0 England 2 Trinidad & Tobago 0 England 2 Sweden 2 Ecuador 0 England 1 England 0 Portugal 0 Portugal win 3-1 on pens.
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A wonderful David Beckham free kick, on the hour, saw England finally make the breakthrough against a resilient Ecuador side, and so move into the World Cup quarter finals.

Ecuador came agonisingly close to taking a shock lead, when a mistimed John Terry header fell into the path of Carlos Tenorio in the penalty area, who hesitated slightly, allowing Ashley Cole to get in a goal-saving block, and deflect Tenorio's shot onto the crossbar. A clever chipped shot from Steven Gerrard was England's first meaningful effort, on 17 minutes, and that went just over the bar. At the other end, Rio Ferdinand diverted an Ecuadorian free kick just wide of the post, and David Beckham fired just wide from a free kick for England - one of the few times the Ecuador goal was threatened in the first half.

England started the second half brightly, and a Gerrard cross whizzed past the South Americans goal, avoiding everyone. Then Beckham stepped up to curl in a low free kick, which went in via goalkeeper Cristian Mora's fingers and a post. Ecuador were only to threaten once more after that, when a stinging drive by Luis Valencia was turned round his near post by Paul Robinson. Great work by Wayne Rooney, who worked like a Trojan all game, set up a good chance for Frank Lampard, who blazed over. Rooney himself then fired in a shot, which brought out a good save from Mora.

Ecuador were a tad disappointing going forward, after a bright start, but they've done well to reach the second round for the first time. This was still not a convincing performance by England, but Rooney is beginning to get back to his best, and was easily England's greatest threat. Beckham deserves some praise for nearly completing the game, after being sick on the pitch. Classy of ITV to show its viewers that...

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.