Beckham, who scored the winning goal with a free kick midway through the second half, vomited on the pitch after his goal and was replaced late in the second half.

England's David Beckham (C) celebrates his goal against Ecuador with Ashley Cole (R) and Wayne Rooney during their second round World Cup 2006 soccer match in Stuttgart June 25, 2006. [Reuters]

"Queasy does it", said The Sun in a front-page spread with a picture of Beckham celebrating his stunning goal. The Daily Express opted for "Nice and Queasy" on the back page.

The Daily Telegraph chose a more restrained: "Beckham special sees England through."

The Sun's Neil Custis said if England were to have any hope of winning the World Cup, they would need "the skipper's trusty right boot".

"You have to hand it old Goldenballs, he still has the eye for the big occasion - and the dramatic," Curtis said.

Henry Winter in the Daily Telegraph said Beckham's winner was "one of those redemption moments he specialises in.

"Cometh the hour, cometh the man," Winter wrote.

"Comprising that free kick and some important clearances, Beckham's performance was all the more admirable as he was gripped by nausea."

But Mick Dennis in the Daily Express was more downbeat.

"Somehow England's odyessy continues. But Ecuador were truly shocking. They lacked ambition, belief and the basic rudiments of international football."