Curitiba: Ecuador moved into second place in World Cup Group ‘E’ as two goals from Enner Valencia handed them a 2-1 win over Honduras in Curitiba on Friday.
Honduras had looked on course for their first ever World Cup win when Carlo Costly fired them in front on 31 minutes, but Valencia levelled from close range just three minutes later.
And the Pachuca striker moved alongside as the tournament’s joint top scorer on three goals when he headed home the winner from Walter Ayovi’s free-kick 25 minutes from time.
Ecuador now lead Switzerland on goal difference with both sides locked on three points after two games behind group leaders France on six.
However, Honduras can still qualify despite losing both their games so far should they heavily defeat the Swiss and Ecuador lose to France.
After a nervy opening from both sides the game began to open up midway through the half and Honduras felt they had a strong penalty appeal waved away by Australian referee Benjamin Williams when Costly went down under pressure from Juan Paredes.
Moments later it was Ecuador who should have taken the lead as Valencia timed his run onto Frickson Erazo’s long ball forward perfectly but couldn’t find the target when left with just Noel Valladares to beat.
Honduras’s first clear chance of the game came just before the half hour mark when Victor Bernardez headed wide when unmarked at the far post. Four minutes later, though, Costly did net his country’s first World Cup goal in five games stretching back to their inaugural appearance at the finals in 1982 as he beat Jorge Guagua to a high ball before slamming home left footed.
