Germany killed this game off early. Simply put - Ecuador just did not turn up for this one. Whether this was down to being overawed, the changes they made, or just taking a day off - who knows.

Schneider, Frings, Ballock, and Schweinsteiger ran the midfield and Klose and Podolski were given far too much room to operate. The pass from Ballack - played with backspin - to set up Klose for the second goal was a peach.

I would not underestimate the value of Podolski's goal. When goal scorers are not scoring it affects the rest of their game and I think we could now see more goals from him. The standard of Group A was poor.

However, three wins will have boosted German confidence and as had been said on many occasions - you can only beat what is in front of you. Defensively there are still questions about Germany. One day Huth will become a very good centre back but I do not think at present he is close to the finished article.  Fragile might be the best description.

Ecuador will really have to pick their performance up whether they play Sweden or more likely England.

Under the category of "why don't you let sleeping dogs lie but what the hell I'll ask anyway". The "challenge" by Valencia on Ballack around the 50th minute mark looked "strikingly" similar to Mastroeni’s challenge that he was red carded for on Saturday. Valencia received a yellow.

Anyone see a marked difference in the challenge?

Germany killed this game off early. Simply put - Ecuador just did not turn up for this one. Whether this was down to being overawed, the changes they made, or just taking a day off - who knows.

Schneider, Frings, Ballock, and Schweinsteiger ran the midfield and Klose and Podolski were given far too much room to operate.

The pass from Ballack - played with backspin - to set up Klose for the second goal was a peach.

I would not underestimate the value of Podolski's goal. When goal scorers are not scoring it affects the rest of their game and I think we could now see more goals from him.

The standard of Group A was poor. However, three wins will have boosted German confidence and as had been said on many occasions - you can only beat what is in front of you.

Defensively there are still questions about Germany. One day Huth will become a very good centre back but I do not think at present he is close to the finished article.  Fragile might be the best description.

Ecuador will really have to pick their performance up whether they play Sweden or more likely England.

 Under the category of "why don't you let sleeping dogs lie but what the hell I'll ask anyway".

The "challenge" by Valencia on Ballack around the 50th minute mark looked "strikingly" similar to Mastroeni’s challenge that he was red carded for on Saturday. Valencia received a yellow. Anyone see a marked difference in the challenge?