The French roller-coaster suddenly got stuck as Ecuador restricted them to a 0-0 draw in their final encounter in Group E. Ecuador who needed to win to stay in the hunt for a qualification failed to score and became the first South American team to crash out of the tournament.
Ecuador coming into the match needed a win to make it to the last 16. However their game lacked urgency that would have given them any clear opportunity. France rather ruled the proceedings and kept the Ecuadorians busy in their own half. Ecuador just got one chance that could have resulted into anything that they needed, otherwise their wingers stayed back busy in clearing the ball.
In the second half it required a spirited performance from the Ecuadorians to force something out of this match. But the same story continued as the Ecuadorian manager brought on a central forward only in the 90th minute. France on the other hand unknowingly lacked sharpness in their attack unlike the previous two matches could not score in spite of getting chances. The end result was thus just enough as neither team deserved to win.
France is now up against the African side Nigeria on next Monday. And Ecuador is busy packing their suitcase for a flight back to their home. They are only Latin American to lose out on a spot as Switzerland won their match comprehensively against Honduras.
Tags: FIFA 2014 FIFA Worldcup FIFA worldup 2014 Worldcup 2014
