Curitiba (Brazil), June 21: Enner Valencia scored twice to help Ecuador beat Honduras 2-1 in a key World Cup tie in Group E at the Arena da Baixada here on Friday.

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Valencia thus took his tally of goals in this World Cup to three and joined the likes of Thomas Mueller (Germany), Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben (both Netherlands) and Karim Benzema (France).

[Read: France beat Switzerland 5-2 in a goalfest]

The scoring in the match, however, started in Honduras's favour with veteran forward Carlos Costly netting the ball in the 31st minute of the match. The Hondurans netted the ball once more in the first half but Australian referee Ben Williams ruled it out as offside.

Ecuador go to the second place in Group E owing to better goal differences

Ecuador almost drew level when Maynor Figueroa blasted a long-range shot but missed the target narrowly. Ecuador's equalizer came within three minutes of Honduras's goal when Valencia scored his first. His second and the team's winner came in the 65th minute of the match.

Ecuador now have three points from two matches and will play group toppers France next on Thursday. Honduras, on the other hand, will look to earn their first points against Switzerland, who were trounced 5-2 by the French in an earlier match.

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