BERLIN -- The first thing Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann did when his team qualified for the second round of the World Cup was give his players a day off.

Germany advanced to the second round without kicking a ball Thursday when Ecuador beat Costa Rica 3-0. The result assured both the World Cup host and Ecuador of advancing from Group A. Their match Tuesday in Berlin will determine the group winner.

"Ecuador showed impressive performances in both games," Klinsmann said. "The team confirmed why it was third in South America qualifying, behind Brazil and Argentina.

"We have great respect for this team. We will prepare intensely and we want to complete our goal of winning the group," Klinsmann said.

Klinsmann still gave his players vacation time from Friday noon until Saturday evening. The players were free to go home or do whatever else they wanted, the German soccer federation said.

Ecuador also beat Poland 2-0 and will win the group with a draw because of better goal difference. Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 and then edged Poland 1-0.

"Now we want to be the winner of the group. It's a good situation that we need a win, because it will keep up the tension in our team," captain Michael Ballack said.

Ballack returned in Wednesday's game against Poland after missing the tournament opener against Costa Rica with a calf injury.

Germany wants to win the group to avoid a possible second-round matchup with England, to which it lost 5-1 the last time they played in Germany, in a World Cup qualifier in 2001.

Germany would prefer to play Sweden or Paraguay in the second round, "but we are strong enough to beat anyone," team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.