Final Group A match
Hosts Germany meet Ecuador in a battle to see who will finish at the top of Group A. The DW-WORLD.DE live ticker will bring you all the action from the game.

While Germany faces off against Ecuador, Costa Rica takes on Poland at 16:00 CEST in Hanover. DW-WORLD will keep you updated with the scores and game highlights for the parallel match.

One hour to kickoff
In just over an hour, Germany takes on Ecuador in a battle for the Group A title. There's a lot riding on the match, with both national pride and team spirit soaring for both countries.

Now 35 minutes to kickoff
We're 40 minutes away from kickoff. Berlin's Olympic Stadium, where the final will be played on July 9, is slowly filling up. Naturally, it will be a sea of German flags -- red, black and yellow. The players are now on the pitch warming up. That won't be difficult to do as it is again warm and steamy in Berlin.

The line-ups for the match
A small surprise in the German line-up. Robert Huth will be starting for Christoph Metzelder in the defensive line. Metzelder is on the bench due to a minor knee injury suffered during practice on the weekend.

Germany:

Jens Lehmann - Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Robert Huth, Philipp Lahm - Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings, Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger - Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski

Coach: Jürgen Klinsmann

Ecuador: Cristian Mora - Jorge Guagua, Ulises De la Cruz, Paul Ambrossi, Geovanny Espinoza - Edison Méndez, Marlon Ayoví, Luis Antonio Valencia, Edwin Tenorio - Felix Borja, Ivan Kaviedes

Coach: Luis Suarez

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

How will the teams come out?
With victory in Group A at stake, Ecuador has the upper hand. Due to a better goal difference, a draw will assure them first place and the top seed. Both German coach Jürgen Klinsmann and his Ecuadoran counterpart Luis Suarez say they want to finish on top -- how much effort are they willing to put into this match? One yellow card too many, an exhausted squad for the round of 16 is certainly not desirable.

Ecuador have yet to concede a goal in these finals. Germany's young defense on the other hand fell victim to Costa Rica's skilful striker Paulo Wanchope two times in the opening match. Luis Suarez is giving both of his two-goal scorers Cristian Tenorio and Agustin Delgado a breather, having them sit on the bench at the beginning.

Now less than ten minutes from kickoff. A small but vocal pocket of Ecuadorian fans is at their seats, yet the German chants are drowning out their opponents. 80,000 spectators are awaiting this match that will determine the victor of Group A. Who that winner will play from Group B is still unknown. England and Sweden will battle it out for that honor.

The teams have now entered the stadium. Germany are in their traditional white jerseys with black shorts. Ecuador are playing in yellow with blue shorts. The national anthems are being played -- now less than five minutes to the start of this match.

0. min.
Ecuador kick off the match. We're underway in Berlin.


0. min.
Ecuador are playing from left to right on your computer monitors. They promptly boot the ball down to German keeper Jens Lehmann.

1. min.
Ecuador seek the wings. A cross from the right, just inches from an Ecuador striker in front of the net. Lehmann dives to catch it however. That would have been disastrous for Germany.

3. min.
Germany now with the first ball possession. They are looking for a place to attack at midfield. Corner kick for Germany.

3. min.
Goal for Germany!


4. min.
Mertescakcer sends it across to the right side where Schweinsteiger crosses it into the middle to who else, Miroslav Klose. The striker pivots on his left foot and, although not too cleanly, can beat keeper Mora. A spectacular start for Germany.

6. min.
A dream start for Jürgen Klinsmann's team. Another chance. Free kick, tapped to Ballack who is immediately fouled 20 meters from the goal.

7. min.
Direct kick for Germany


7. min.
Ballack curls the kick into the Ecuador wall and it then rolls out of bounds. Throw-in Germany.

8. min.
Miroslav Klose is showing that he is one of this tournament's most dangerous forwards, scoring his third goal and putting Germany at the top of Group A -- for the time being.

9. min.
Podolski with his first chance but a long pass from midfield is too fast for him to catch up to and goalie Mora gathers in the ball.

10. min.
Despite the early lead, the German crowd is not overly ecstatic. They have sat themselves down comfortably. You have to wonder what will satisfy them.

11. min.
Michael Ballack takes a spill at the center circle after a hard challenge. Referee Ivanov lets play go on.

13. min.
Luis Suarez' team, after that good chance in the first minute, has shown little penchant to attack. It seems that both sides are taking a short break after the frenetic start. Corner kick for Germany.

13. min.
Podolski takes the corner. His out-swinging kick is headed high into the air and the Ecuadorian defense can clear it.

16. min.
De la Cruz has been the most visible Ecuadorian with his crosses from the right side but Borja and Kaviedes have not been present in the penalty area to try and take advantage. So far, the German defenders have had little reason to worry.

17. min.
Ecuador's Mendez has the ball some 30 meters away from goal, lets loose -- the ball dribble some 15 meters wide of Lehmann's goal. But you have to shoot to score.

18. min.
The pace of this match has dropped to a trickle. Philipp Lahm down the left wing, a cross back to Schneider who volleys it high over the Ecuadorian goal from 16 meters out.

21. min.
With the exception of Podolski, the German team has retreated back into their half, inviting the opponents to attack. Yet the South Americans seem not to have any brilliant ideas. Germany can rest comfortably.

22. min.
Errant pass by Ecuador. Klose to Podolski -- offsides. Too bad, the future Bayern striker had room to run.

23. min.
Schweinsteiger is the most aggressive player on the pitch. He has taken no prisoners in a few challenges. After this game, everyone has a clean slate. Schweini is playing like he knows it.

25. min.
Klose is free in the penalty area, the ball bounces a little too high, Mora grabs it just in the nick of time before Klose can reach the ball.

26. min.
Again, Ecuador have possession but have shown little ingenuity in getting close to the German goal. The most visible German players have been goal scorer Klose and midfielder Schweinsteiger.

27. min.
Free-kick Germany


28. min.
Robert Huth crashes into the penalty box and the huge defender lands on the back of an Ecuador fullback -- who remains lying on the pitch but gets back up after a short breather.

29. min.
Lukas Podolski is trying to find a way to break the Gordian knot and notch his first World Cup goal but for the most part is standing offsides when a pass comes to him. He breaks free on a Ballack pass. Mora and Poldi collide outside the area, Ballack receives the ball but his long shot flies over the goal.

32. min.
Another German free-kick
A second goal is in the air in Berlin.

33. min.
Throw-in for Germany. Poldi takes the ball, tosses it backwards to Frings, who again finds the best man in this match so far, Klose. He shoots but the ball sails over the net.

35. min.
German midfield playmaker Michael Ballack has kept a low profile. He has one yellow card from a previous match and is doing all he can to avoid getting the second and the ensuing suspension in the next match.

36. min.
Some 35 minutes ago, this game had a final-like atmosphere but since Jürgen Klinsmann's squad took the lead in the 4th minute, things both on the pitch and in the stadium have quieted down considerably. That's a little unfortunate.

37. min.
Ecuador in the German half. Again, the South Americans are being quite meticulous with their passing but it is hardly going anywhere. A shot from the left wing but no danger. German goal-kick.

39. min.
Mendez with a nice move against Frings at midfield but he immediately loses the ball. We're still waiting for some South American magic from the team in yellow.

41. min.
Lehmann is being treated after he had to punch a ball out bounds and collided with Ecuadorian Kaviedes. Everything seems to be ok.

43. min.
Luis Suarez' team has been unable to capitalize on Germany's presumed weakness in the back line. Keeper Lehmann has had little to do with exception of the dive to snatch up a cross in the first minute. Some of the crowd is starting to make their way to the concession stands. Goal though!

44. min.
One-man wrecking crew Miroslav Klose!
Michael Ballack with a beautiful over the Ecuador defense outside the penalty area. Klose beats the lone defender and Mora, taps it around the keeper magnificently and must only knock the ball into the empty net. That's his fourth goal in the tournament.

45. min.
Half-time!
+2 The crowd is singing, celebrating what could well be the goal to decide Group A. Unlike the first goal, the German supporters are truly jubilant.

45. min.
A fantastic start and a fantastic finish to the first-half for Jürgen Klinsmann's team. Does Luis Suarez now feel that this game is worth trying to salvage and bring on either one, or both, of his best strikers Delgado or C. Tenorio? That remains to be seen.

46. min.
The second-half begins.


46. min.
Germany pick up where they left off. Podolski is surrounded by two Ecuadorians in the penalty area, there is a scramble and the ball squirts out to Schweinsteiger whose less than hard shot is stopped by keeper Mora. Good start for Germany.

46. min.
Ecuador coach has brought on one new player at half. Benitez for Borja.

49. min.
Lehmann has to punch one over the crossbar -- corner kick for Ecuador.

50. min.
The corner is unsuccessful. But antoher one.

51. min.
Ecuador showing signs of life. The Germans are a little complacent at the beginning. They mustn't do that too long or they could experience an unpleasant surprise.

51. min.
Valencia is booked.
His challenge against Ballack is slightly unfriendly and referee Ivanov enters him into the books.

53. min.
Ecuador are scrappier at the start of the second-half, doing what they can to win the ball at midfield before Germany have too much time to set up.

53. min.
A mistake by Ecuador, Lahm on the left wing. He sees Poldi in the middle. The striker gets the ball, shoots -- just inches wide of the right post. The former Cologne striker is jinxed in this tournament.

55. min.
Germany are repeatedly looking to the left wing and Philipp Lahm. Frings at the center circle, passes left but out of bounds. Ecuador throw-in.

56. min.
Mendez takes his chances from 30 meters out. Why not? Lehmann taps it over the bar. There have been numerous long-distance goals so far at this World Cup.

56. min.
Poldi finally does it!


57. min.
A picture-book counter attack. Klose wins a ball at midfield, passes it quickly to Schneider on the right. He is alone, sends a beautiful cross to the penalty spot and a sliding Podolski punches it just inside the left post. 3-0 Germany.

59. min.
Poldi gets his first World Cup goal -- and he gets almost his second. Klose charges alone to the right side of the penalty area, passes it back to Poldi but Mora dives to stop the ball from rolling into the back of the net.

62. min.
Well, if anyone thought Ecuador would put up a big fight against the hosts, they were wrong. Miroslav Klose's performance so far has been too much for the Ecuadorans. He has scored twice and won the decisive ball at midfield that led to the third goal.

62. min.
Valencia leaves for Christian Lara


64. min.
Another counter attack. But Podolski is offsides.


65. min.
This game is opening up more and more. Ballack takes over the ball at the center circle, finds Schneider who advances it with ease to Klose on the right wing but his cross lands in no-man's land. Ecuador can clear.

66. min.
Substitute Lara forces Lehmann to get his jersey dirty, as the German keeper has to dive but the ball goes wide of the net.

66. min.
Double substitution for Germany.
Top gun Klose and midfielder Frings can take a rest. Tim Borowski and Poland match hero Oliver Neuville come on.

69. min.
Last substitution for Ecuador.
Urrutia comes on for captain Ayovi. It's time to get some World Cup experience.

70. min.
There's a low din of satisfaction ringing at Olympic Stadium. The German supporters have much to cheer about, much to talk about, much to sing about. With 20 minutes to go, there is little doubt who will be victorious.

71. min.
Direct kick for Ecuador.
Foul by Borowski. Ecuador has a direct kick some 20 meters out.

71. min.
Menendez bends the ball over the German wall but it lands on top of the net, not in it.

72. min.
Last German substitution.
Bernd Schneider, who played superbly, comes out for Gerald Asamoah, his first appearance at this Cup.

74. min.
Let's hope that Michael Ballack doesn't do anything foolish so that he would get booked. A yellow for him would mean a one-match suspension.

75. min.
Borowski sees yellow.
Slightly too ambitious to impress, the Bremen midfielder fouls two times within a minute and is booked by ref Ivanov.

76. min.
Asamoah with his first ball contact. As he shoots, his right foot comes out from underneath him and the ball sails gently into keeper Mora's hands.

76. min.
Long-distance blast from Ballack!
The team captain sees Mora straying a little from off his line, let's a shot go from 30 meters and it just clears the crossbar by inches. Goal-kick Ecuador.

79. min.
At this stage, neither side is making a great effort to score. A long pass here, a shot from far away there. The two teams may just play at scrimmage intensity the rest of the way.

81. min.
Only those who have come on in this half -- Neuville, Asamoah and Borowski -- are doing their best to create opportunities. Ecuador's new man Benitez with a nice dribbling exhibition at the German penalty area before that comes to an end.

82. min.
Ecuador free-kick
Lara, the shortest man at this Cup, sprints down the left side before Friedrich fouls him.

83. min.
The German defense has stood firm the second match in a row. The serious challenge is yet to come. Will the hosts face England or Sweden in the first knock-out match on Saturday. Stay with us to find out at 21.00 CEST.

85. min.
Schweinsteiger with one more big effort. He wins a head ball challenge in the Ecuador box but Mora can stop his shot.

86. min.
Germany prepared perfectly for this match -- played with efficiency, effectiveness and technically top-notch. It may be a cliche, but typical German soccer.

87. min.
Lahm again on the left. He touches it to Ballack whose rocket is just saved by Mora to prevent a worse result for the South Americans.

89. min.
The attack comes again from the left, a cross from Philipp Lahm. Asamoah jumps but he pushed off to get to the ball. Free-kick for Ecuador.

90. min.
2 minutes of stoppage time shown.

90. min.
A last chance for Ecuador. Free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

90. min.
+1 Not very spectacular for Ecuador but they have a corner.

90. min.
+2 Lehmann grabs the ball and punts it to a sprinting Poldi. Three Ecuador defenders are able to pry the ball away from the goal scorer. Just seconds to play.

This game is over. Germany dismantle Ecuador 3-0 in Berlin. They will be facing either England or Sweden in Munich on Saturday.

In the second Group A match, Poland won the laurels for third-place and beat Costa Rica 2-1.

A quick strike by German striker Miroslav Klose in the fourth minute set the tone in this match. He scored again just before the end of the first-half and 12 minutes after play restarted, Lukas Podoslki got his first World Cup goal. Ecuador were hardly worthy opponents on this day but they are happy to get to the next round.