Ecuador 0:0 France; Ecuador crashes out

Like a reverse Fabrizio Ravanelli, Ecuador forward Walter Avoyi covers his tears with his yellow shirts. And there are plenty of other solemn expressions on Ecuadorian faces. They are the first South American side to be eliminated from the tournament on their own continent.

After hammering Honduras and Switzerland, France are all but through to the last 16 already and only need one point to ensure they finish top of the group.


Ecuador played a man short at Rio's Maracana stadium when Antonio Valencia was sent off on a straight red card in the 50th minute for digging his studs into the leg of French defender Lucas Digne.


France coach Didier Deschamps has made six changes to start the match, knowing his side was all but assured of advancing.

France came closest to scoring when Antoine Griezmann hit the post in the 47th.


In the other final Group E game, Switzerland defeated 3-0 Honduras to finish in second place and join France in the knockout stages.