Ecuador reaches Copa quarter while Mexico departs

Ecuador secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Sunday after a 0-0 draw with Mexico, who withdrew from the tournament after finishing third in Group B.

Ecuador, seeking its first semi-final since hosting the event in 1993, will face defending champion Argentina in the quarter-finals, while group winners Venezuela, who defeated Jamaica 3-0, will face Canada.

Ecuador finished level with Mexico (4 points), but reached the last eight thanks to a better goal difference.

at the European Championship. I think this is the best game I have ever seen.

Mexico manager Jaime Lozano is likely to face more criticism after they scored just one goal in their three group games.

Lozano, Mexico’s third coach in the past two years, also faced criticism after their 2-0 loss to the United States in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final and after defeats in two recent friendlies, including a 4-0 defeat to Uruguay.

In a physical first half, Mexico attacked with real intensity as they looked for the win they needed, but lacked quality on the ball and failed to register a shot on target.

Lozano’s team continued to press after the break and defender Gerardo Arteaga created a good opportunity after a powerful run into the penalty area, but Felix Torres blocked a final effort.

Winger Julian Quinones tested Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez with a long-range effort in the 65th minute.

Dominguez saved Quinones’ shot with a dive, before Mexico’s Santi Gimenez fired the rebound against the post from a difficult angle.

As Mexico threw bodies forward in their search for a winner, Ecuador increasingly posed a threat on the counter-attack, and in the 68th minute Enner Valencia forced a save from Julio Gonzalez with a dip.

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martinez and award Mexico a penalty, but a VAR review overturned the decision.

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