by Our Sports Desk

Ecuador World Cup hero Enner Valencia is living a dream he first imagined when he sold milk as a youngster to buy football boots.

Valencia put Ecuador on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup with both goals in the 2-1 win over Honduras on Friday night. 

The brace was special for the 25-year-old striker for a number of reasons.

The goals moved Valencia level with Augustin Delgado as Ecuador’s top World Cup scorer in history.

And it also meant Valencia had realised a dream he has held since he was growing up in the small port town of San Lorenzo in northern Ecuador.

“This is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid, when I was out in the countryside selling milk to buy football boots,” Valencia said.

“Luckily for me, now it’s coming true.

“It’s an amazing feeling. Words can’t express how I felt when I got my head to the ball and realised it was going in. I couldn’t stop screaming, I had such a rush of emotion.”

Ecuador are second in their group but they face France in their final Group E game this Wednesday knowing only a win will secure qualification.

Valencia knows a better performance will be required against France, who have been one of the revelations of the tournament so far.

“We know what France are all about. They are in great form and we will have to play better than ever to beat them,” he said.

“We are brimming with self-confidence though and this victory is going to help us to be absolutely buzzing going into the game.”