Gelsenkirchen: Agustin Delgado and Ecuador proved they are World Cup worthy far away from the comforts - and high altitude - of home.
Delgado set up a first-half goal and added his own score in the 80th minute to quiet the boisterous pro-Poland crowd with a 2-0 victory Friday night in the World Cup opener for both teams.
Their credentials questioned because seven of their eight qualifying wins came more than 9,000 feet above sea level at their home stadium in Quito, the Ecuadorians got off to strong start near sea level in their second World Cup appearance.
Ecuador did a good job protecting a 1-0 lead provided by Carlos Tenorio's goal in the 24th minute.
Captain Ivan Hurtado and Neicer Reasco helped thwart the few chances the Poles got, although Poland hit the goalpost twice in the final minutes.
Delgado put the game away in the 80th. Edison Mendez slid a pass to Ivan Kaviedes, who beat an offside trap and fed Delgado alone in the front of the net for the easy score.
Starting the game with Maciej Zurawski as the lone striker, Poland didn't test goalkeeper Cristian Mora until the dying moments.
Even the substitution of a second forward, Ireneusz Jelen, in the 68th minute, didn't help the Poles, who didn't have a shot on goal until the 84th minute.
Ecuador is tied with Germany atop Group A. The hosts beat Costa Rica 4-2 earlier Friday.
Poland had gone into the match with a new defensive five-man midfield.
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