Two Miroslav Klose goals and one from his strike partner Lukas Podolski ensured Germany finished top of World Cup Group A with a convincing 3-0 win over Ecuador.

The hosts' best performance to date delighted the home fans and should ensure they avoid England in the next round, providing Sven-Goran Eriksson's men get at least a draw against Sweden.

Germany named their strongest side for the game with Jurgen KIinsmann obviously keen to avoid England, and they went some way to doing so after four minutes when Klose put them ahead with his third of the tournament.

A left-wing flick from Bernd Schneider found Per Mertesacker in the box, and the Ecuador defence missed failed to clear, allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger to cut back for Klose to rifle the ball into the bottom corner.

Germany were far superior in all areas and had chances to extend their lead through Schneider and Michael Ballack, but it was Klose who continued to impress.

First he was unfortunate not to get on the end of a Ballack throughball and then he volleyed over from 14 yards before he did bag his second on 44.

This time he received a Ballack throughball and confidently rounded the keeper before sliding home his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ecuador improved at the start of the second half with Edwin Tonorio and substitute Cristian Benitez going close before Podolski missed a good chance, putting his angled drive just wide after 52 minutes.

He only had to wait five more minutes to register, though, sparking wild celebrations from his team-mates with a tidy half-volley from just inside the area after good work from Schweinsteiger.

He nearly added a second two minutes later following more good work by Klose - but Cristian Mora was alert to the danger.

Ecuador looked a shadow of the side that won their opening two games - with five players rested - and they never looked like breaching the German defence as the tournament hosts coasted to victory.