Ecuador's Geovanny Espinoza (L) battles for the ball with England's Steven Gerrard during their second round World Cup 2006 soccer match in Stuttgart June 25, 2006.[Reuters]

The loss did not curb the enthusiasm of the Ecuadorians that filled the nation's public spaces -- avenues and squares, streets and parks -- wearing Ecuador red, yellow and blue shirts and waving national flags.

All of Ecuador's races -- black, white, indigenous and mixed -- had cheered the team in bars and restaurants watching the team fighting for a place in the quarter-final, with chants of "Ecuador, Ecuador" and "Si, se puede" (Yes we can).

A 60th-minute goal from England captain David Beckham brought an end to their dream of World Cup glory, but leaving Ecuadorians the length of the nation enthused by the team's performance.

"Ecuador played a clever game, controlling the action and creating chances at goal," said a taxi driver, interviewed after the game.

"The first half was worked well by Ecuador, and the team deserved to have gone ahead with that Carlos Tenorio kick," said a housewife, who had watched the game at home with her family. Carlos Tenorio had nearly scored in the 12th minute.

But it was Beckham, taking an inspired penalty after Edwin Tenorio's foul, that finally scored, squashing Ecuador's hopes.