Mexico Beat Ecuador 2-1 to Top Group G at World Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, June 10, 2002

Mexico Beat Ecuador 2-1 to Top Group G at World Cup

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Unsurprisingly beating World Cup debutants Ecuador 2-1 in their second group G match at the premier soccer tournament here on Sunday, Mexico jumped to the topof the group with six points, overlooking three-time champions Italy, Croatia and Ecuador.

This was the first consecutive wins for Mexico at World Cup games, who had upset Croatia 1-0 with a penalty goal in their first group G match, and the eighth match in World Cup finals against South American teams and the first they had won.

Ecuador's ace striker Agustin Delgado scored the first goal of the debutants in the 5th minute. He jumped high and headed the pass from Ulises De la Cruz to the top left corner of the goal, put his side in the lead. Mexico's goalkeeper Oscar Perez, who is only 1.71-meter high, touched the ball but failed to block it.

After conceding a goal, the Mexican team quickened their pace and took full control of the match. Jared Borgetti level the scorein the 28th, leading to a 1-1 draw at halftime. The top scorer of Mexico's soccer league caught the equalizer by striking home a left-wing pass from midfielder Ramon Morales.

The winner came at the 57th minute as midfielder Gerardo Torrado fired a volley home outside the box in the 57th minute, giving his side to a 2-1 lead. Torrado's powerful shot went into the right corner of the net through defenders' legs. Ecuador's goalkeeper Jose Cevallos moved a little bit slowly, failing to save the shot.

Both teams played technically in the match, showing a typical Latin American football. But Mexico earned nearly 65 percent of the ball possession.

Ecuador missed at least two scoring chances to catch up with Mexico in the second half. In the 80th, Carlos Tenorio broke Mexico's defense, beating two defenders, and fired a close-range shot which was mysteriously knocked out by keeper's left leg. Seven minutes later, a volley outside the penalty area flew narrowly wide.

Ecuador lost to three-time champions Italy 2-0 in their debut of the World Cup in the group G. But their performance in that match was quite eye-catching.

Now Mexico top the group with 6 points from two games, followedby Croatia and Italy with three each and Ecuador at the bottom with two straight losses.

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