Delgado despairs at Ecuador's spiritless display

Mexico 2 Ecuador 1

Mexico closed in on their third straight World Cup second–round berth here yesterday, rallying from a goal down to defeat newcomer Ecuador 2–1.

Jared Borgetti and Gerardo Torrado each scored as Mexico became only the third team to win their first two matches at this year's competition, taking control of the top spot in Group G. They next face Italy and a draw would allow the Mexicans to advance.

"Mexico had the chance to show its power today," defender Melvin Brown said. "If we can play a good match against Italy, we will be just fine. We just have to suffer a little more."

Mexico, which beat Croatia 1–0 in its opener, won its first two opening World Cup matches for the first time. The "Tri–Colors" are playing in their 12th finals and their play will determine how far they go.

"We're just happy that our chances of advancing now depend on us," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

"We came thinking we would have to fight," midfielder Sigifredo Mercado said. "The most important thing is that Mexico won."

The Ecuadoreans showed grit and determination in this year's first World Cup match between Latin American countries. But Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez admitted his team lacked experience in a match he considered even.

"They (Ecuador players) are new to this and so maybe it's partially a lack of attitude and personality," he said. "It's the first time they have competed at this level."

Mexico's come–from–behind win spoiled a promising start for the Ecuadoreans, World Cup debutantes who finished second in South American qualifying behind Argentina.

Southampton striker Agustin Delgado scored Ecuador's first goal in the World Cup finals in the fifth minute, heading home a cross from Ulises De la Cruz.

He blamed himself and the whole side for the team's second straight loss. Ecuador lost its World Cup debut 2–0 to Italy. "We lacked the love, sacrifice and strength that we needed to get the win," Delgado said. "When you're winning, you have to keep fighting and we didn't do that."

Mexico's Borgetti tied the match in the 28th minute, cutting to goal and one–touching a Ramon Morales pass. The shot sent goalkeeper Jose Cevallos sprawling, but he never had a chance.

The goal revived Mexico, which asserted itself in the midfield and overwhelmingly controlled possession as play wore on. Ecuador played much of the rest of the first half in its own end.

The Mexicans continued pressing in the second half, looking for Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Torrado, a midfielder. Torrado finally had his chance in the 57th when he blasted home a soft pass from Joahan Rodriguez just outside the box. "We opened poorly," Aguirre said. "But Torrado's play was crucial for the win. He's playing very well and improving every day."

Aware of Mexico's dominance in the midfield, Gomez brought on Alex Aguinaga as a second–half substitute. He had been replaced in the starting lineup by striker Ivan Kaviedes after Aguinaga suffered a muscle injury during the team's opening match.

Aguinaga settled Ecuador down and both teams had good scoring opportunities in the closing minutes. A right–footed shot by Borgetti, who quickly turned on his defender, hit the post in the 70th minute.

Ecuador's Carlos Tenorio and Delgado also both had late chances. A Tenoria blast just sailed wide in the 81st minute. Aguinaga led another chance to equalize in the 87th when he laid a pass back for Marlon Ayovi, whose shot skimmed the upper crossbar.

Mexico's Aguirre celebrated the victory, but cautioned the stiffest test was yet to come. "We haven't won anything yet," he said. "We're off to a good start, but next comes Italy."

MATCH DETAILS

Mexico 2
Borgetti 28, Torrado 57

Ecuador 1
Delgado 5

MEXICO (3-5-2): Perez (Cruz Azul); Vidrio (Pachuca), Marquez (Monaco), Carmona (Toluca); Morales (Guadalajara), Torrado (Sevillle), J Rodriguez (Santos Laguna), Luna (Necaxa), Arellano (Monterrey); Borgetti (Santos Laguna), Blanco (Valladolid). Substitutes: Hernandez (America) for Borgetti, 77; Caballero (Pachuca) for Rodriguez, 87; Mercado (Atlas) for Blanco, 90.

ECUADOR (4-4-2): Cevallos (Barcelona, Ec); De la Cruz (Hibernian), Hurtado (Barcelona, Ec), Porozo (Emelec), Guerron (Deportivo Quito); E Tenorio (Barcelona, Ec), Obregon (LDU Quito), Chala (Southampton), Mendez (Deportivo Quito); Kaviedes (Barcelona, Ec), Delgado (Southampton). Substitutes: Ayovi (Deportivo Quito) for Tenorio, 35; Aguinaga (Necaxa) for Obregon, 58; C Tenorio (Deportivo Quito) for Kaviedes, 53.

Referee: M Daami (Tunisia).

Bookings: Mexico: Torrado. Ecuador: Kaviedes, Cevallos, Guerron, C Tenorio, Delgado.

Attendance: 45,610.