France failed to beat 10-man Ecuador after Antonio Valencia’s red card in an eventful game that somehow ended goalless.
France failed to beat 10-man Ecuador after Antonio Valencia’s red card in an eventful game that somehow ended goalless.
Les Bleus were already qualified after two victories and will face Nigeria on June 30. Didier Deschamps made seven changes, including the suspended Yohan Cabaye, but Ecuador needed to match or improve upon Switzerland’s result against Honduras to go through. As the Swiss beat Honduras 3-0, the Europeans are qualified.
France kept most of the possession and control early on, but Mamadou Sakho could receive a ban using video evidence after he was caught on camera elbowing Minda at a corner.
Michael Arroyo burst into the box down the left, but opted to shoot rather than roll across for Enner Valencia and allowed Hugo Lloris to gather. An Antoine Griezmann free kick was whipped on to the head of Paul Pogba, forcing Dominguez into an acrobatic save under the bar. Lloris was also called into action with his legs before the break to deny Enner Valencia’s dangerous downward header, while Karim Benzema fired straight at Dominguez.
It was a disappointing first half, but the second started brightly with Griezmann’s flick from point-blank range palmed on to the upright.
Antonio Valencia was sent off, further denting Ecuador’s hopes of qualification, for a studs-up challenge that landed on Digne’s shin.
Yet 10-man Ecuador should’ve taken the lead moments later, as Noboa lost his balance to fire wide on an Enner Valencia counter-attack.
Pogba had a free header at the back post, but it flashed all the way across the face of goal to whistle wide. Ibarra also had a great chance for 10-man Ecuador, cutting in from the right to force a tough save out of Lloris, then Benzema blasted straight at Dominguez and Pogba’s fierce solo effort skimmed the woodwork.
Ecuador 0-0 France
Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Erazo, Guagua, W Ayovi; A Valencia, Minda, Noboa (Caicedo 89), Montero (Ibarra 63); E Valencia, Arroyo (Achillier 82)
France: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho (Varane 60), Digne; Pogba, Schneiderlin, Matuidi (Giroud 67); Sissoko, Benzema, Griezmann (Remy 79)
Ref: Doue (CIV)
Sent off: A Valencia 50 (E)