Trio enjoy international fillip

The performance of the day undoubtedly came in Quito where Ecuador defeated CONMEBOL leaders 2-0. At times the victim of a lot of crowd pressure this season, De la Cruz performed brilliantly at right-back as second-half strikes from Christian Lara and Agustín Delgado gave the home side a shock win to put them on the verge of a berth in Germany next year.

Juan Pablo Angel and Colombia could join them there, after an emphatic 5-0 victory against Nolberto Solano's Peru side lifted them into fifth and a play-off spot. The Villa striker was on target 12 minutes after the interval to make it 3-0 and kill the game off.

Angel's club captain Mellberg went one better with Sweden, however, as the Scandinavian side romped to a 6-0 win against Malta. The defender returned to action as Sweden ensured they remain just one point behind leaders Croatia in Group 8.

Meanwhile, in Belfast, Steven Davis was part of the Northern Ireland side that celebrated the Irish Football Association's 125th anniversary with a match against Germany. The game started well for the midfielder, whose 15^th-minute cross caused all kinds of trouble in the Germany defence and resulted in a penalty being awarded for hand-ball and Robert Huth's dismissal.

 
David Healy converted from the spot but within a minute Gerald Asamoah had equalised. Davis then missed a gilt-edge chance to restore the lead Michael Ballack went on to inspire a 4-1 victory for the visitors.