Halftime: No Score

Both national anthems are sang as duets. Feel the love.

No van Nistelrooy in the starting lineup. Instead, Robben, Kuyt and Meerdink start up front. Tenorio and Benitez are up from for La Tri, while Mora starts in goal.

The Dutch control the run of the play at the start, whle Ecuador engage in some pretty awful clearing efforts in their own end.

After twenty or so minutes, Ecuador settle down and play the Dutch even. In fact, La Tri finish the half with an advantage both in shots (4 to 3) and shots on goal (2 to 0), including some great efforts by Tenorio.

As far as the Ecuadorians’ aerial ability which has been discussed here before, although Mora gathered the only high cross that came his way, the Ecuadorian attack had some pretty weak efforts at shooting with their cabezas.

All in all, Ecuador has to consider a nil-nil draw at half a pretty good result. If they can keep up the defensive pressure and finish at the other end, anything can happen.