Ecuador 0
France 0
France took top spot in World Cup Group E while 10-man Ecuador were eliminated after a 0-0 draw at the Maracana stadium yesterday.
Switzerland took second spot and will play Argentina in the last 16 while the French will face Nigeria.
Ecuador, who had to play most of the second half with 10 men after Antonio Valencia’s red card, be-came the only one of the six South American sides not to progress.
With little pressure on France, coach Didier Deschamps made six changes to his starting line-up.
A relaxed-looking France team had the better of the early ex-changes, but it was not until the 38th minute that they truly threatened when Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez tipped over a powerful header from Paul Pogba.
Ecuador’s only first half opportunity came when Michael Arroyo burst down the left flank and Enner Valencia met his cross with a downward header which was blocked by France keeper Hugo Lloris.
France almost broke the deadlock after the interval when Bacary Sagna crossed and Antoine Griezmann’s volley bounced off Domin-guez on to the post.
Ecuador’s hopes suffered a major blow, though, moments later when Antonio Valencia was sent off for a challenge on Lucas Digne which left the France left-back needing treatment.
However, the decision brought Ecuador to life and they should have had the lead when Cristian Noboa was put through by Enner Valencia but lost his balance and screwed a shot wide.
Pogba missed a great chance for France in the 73rd minute when he headed wide.
Ecuador knew a draw was not enough and Alex Ibarra forced a good save out of Lloris while Karim Benzema went close for France.
Ecuador: 22-Alexander Dominguez; 4-Juan Carlos Paredes, 2-Jorge Guagua, 3-Frickson Erazo, 10-Walter Ayovi; 16-Antonio Valencia, 14-Oswaldo Minda, 6-Cristian Noboa (90 11-Felipe Caicedo), 7-Jefferson Montero (63 5-Renato Ibarra), 15-Michael Arroyo (82 21-Gabriel Achilier); 13-Enner Valencia.
France: 1-Hugo Lloris; 15-Bacary Sagna, 21-Laurent Koscielny, 5-Mamadou Sakho (61 4-Raphael Varane), 17-Lucas Digne; 14-Blaise Matuidi (67 9-Olivier Giroud), 19-Paul Pogba, 22-Morgan Schneiderlin, 18-Moussa Sissoko; 10-Karim Benzema, 11-Antoine Griezmann (79 20-Loic Remy).
Referee: Noumandiez Doue (Ivory Coast).
Red card: Antonio Valencia (E) 50.