Skipper David Beckham provided the inspiration as England booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

England opened up at lively pace despite the sweltering conditions in Stuttgart, with Beckham almost picking out a couple of darting runs from lone frontman Wayne Rooney.

However, Ecuador should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when John Terry's misjudged header let in Carlos Tenorio but the striker's shot was deflected onto the crossbar after Ashley Cole's superb last-ditch challenge, with Paul Robinson well beaten.

Steven Gerrard curled an effort over the bar as Sven Goran Eriksson's men continued to make the running, while at the other end Edison Mendes saw a 25-yard free-kick deflected just wide.

Frank Lampard tested Cristian Mora from distance, with Beckham also drifting a 30-yard free-kick wide as England continued their patient build-up play without producing any end product and went into the half-time break goalless.

England came out of the traps quickly again at the start of the second period, with Rooney noticeably more involved in the play.

And they were finally rewarded for their persistence on the hour mark when Beckham stepped up to curl a magnificent free-kick past Mora from 30-yards - becoming the first England player to score in three different World Cup finals in the process.

Lampard then screwed a shot wide as England looked for a second, although at the other end Robinson had to be alert to keep out Luis Valencia's fierce drive.

Lampard wasted another opportunity when he scooped an effort over the bar after brilliant work down the left from Rooney - who also saw a deflected effort saved by Mora.

Paul Robinson suffered an injury scare when he went down with a knee injury, while Beckham was clearly ill and had to be replaced by Aaron Lennon late on.

But England comfortably held out to move into the last eight.

After the game Beckham admitted England's display was "ugly".

He said: "I don't care. We have done our job. We were ugly at times but we are through."

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "I think it worked [the formation]. We should have scored more goals but I am rather happy that we are in the quarter-finals again. I hope we will have a better result in the quarters this time.

"We have not performed as well as we can do but it will come later."