Honduras saw their first-half lead wiped out in a matter of minutes after Carlo Costly's strike gave Los Catrachos hope of a World Cup victory.

After a cagey start from both sides, Ecuador started to enjoy possession in attacking areas as their Central American opponents dropped deeper in defence.

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The first real chance of note fell to Enner Valencia as he chested down a through-ball, and his finish was narrowly past the post when he seemed destined to open the scoring.

Honduras carried their own threat in attack and could have taken the lead themselves when Victor Bernandez found himself in plenty of space at a corner, but he sent his diving header wide of goal.

However, Los Catrachos were soon ahead when a clearance from keeper Noel Valladares broke into the path of veteran forward Costly and he made no mistake in tucking the ball beyond Alexander Dominguez.

Ecuador got back on terms within a matter of minutes when a ball across the face of goal from Juan Carlos Paredes wasn't dealt with by Brayan Beckeles, and Enner Valencia was on hand to equalise.

After restoring parity, the La Tri almost edged in front before the break when Antonio Valencia's corner was flicked onto the back post, but ex-Manchester City Felipe Caicedo couldn't convert the opportunity.

With the interval approaching, Bernardez was again in the thick of the action when his thunderous stoppage-time free kick brought a solid save from Dominguez.

Then Honduras thought they had taken the lead when Jerry Bengston netted when Costly's shot came off the post, but the goal was rightly chalked off for offside and Bengston appeared to handle to ball as well.