21 Jun 2014

Ecuador win, Costa Rica through, France all but progress, England gone

5:38 pm on 21 June 2014

Ecuador have come back from a goal down to beat Honduras 2-1 at the football World Cup in Brazil to keep their hopes of progressing from group E on track.

Honduras looked on course for their first ever World Cup win when Carlo Costly fired them in front in the 31st minute in Curitiba, but Enner Valencia levelled from close range three minutes later.

Then Valencia moved alongside Karim Benzema, Robin Van Persie, Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben as the tournament's top scorer with three goals when the striker 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 also still qualify despite losing both of their games so far, should they heavily defeat the Swiss and Ecuador lose against France - the group leaders earlier thrashed Switzerland 5-2 to all but book their place in the round of 16.

Costa Rica also beat Italy 1-0 in Recife to reach the knockout stages and eliminate England from playoff contention in group D.

Italy now need at least a draw from their final game against Uruguay to go through on goal difference, while Uruguay must win in Natal on Wednesday to progress.

England's surprise early exit at the group stages is their worst performance since 1958.

Costa Rica join the Netherlands, Chile and Colombia in reaching the next round.