Ecuador's World Cup ended because of a single moment of brilliance by the England captain David Beckham, Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez said on Sunday.
Suarez said his team had matched England throughout most of their second-round game and with luck might even have had a goal of their own but were simply powerless to stop Beckham's superb second-half free kick which gave them their 1-0 victory.
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"It was a very precise shot, it was impossible to stop, you just have to congratulate Beckham. It was perfect."
Ecuador's best chance to score came early in the first half when striker Carlos Tenorio's shot was deflected by England's Ashley Cole on to the cross bar, preventing an almost certain goal.
"I was very sorry that ball didn't go in at the beginning of the game. It might have changed things," Suarez said.
"The way the game was going perhaps they would have opened up their lines a bit more and we could have scored."
'VERY SATISFIED'
Despite his team's defeat, Suarez declared himself pleased with his team's performance at only their second appearance at the finals.
"We are really are very satisfied with the way we played. I think there was a mutual respect between the teams and this is good for Ecuador.
"This was only our second time at the World Cup but it showed we are up to par.
"Our objective was to make the second round and we did that.
"We're satisfied but we always thought we could achieve something more."
Ecuador finished second in Group A behind Germany but booked their place in the second round by beating Poland and Costa Rica and Suarez said their performances had shown they were able to play on the biggest stage.
"We feel positive because Ecuador was an unknown country and our tactical strategies were good," he said.
"Today we were playing against England, so it wasn't easy. It was a centre field game, more complicated for both teams.
"I think that our rivals respected us today. This says a lot about what the England coach thought about us.
"A lot of people were very sceptical about us, a lot of people thought we would probably lose all three games. So I am very proud of my players."