Ecuador secured a place in the Copa América quarterfinals on Sunday after grinding out a 0-0 draw with Mexico, which bowed out of the tournament after finishing third in Group B.
Ecuador will now play defending champions Argentina in the quarters, while group winners Venezuela, who beat Jamaica 3-0, take on Canada.
Ecuador finished level with Mexico on four points, but progress to the last eight thanks to a superior goal difference.
In a physical first half, Mexico attacked with real intensity as they sought the win they needed, but lacked quality on the ball and failed to record a shot on target.
Jaime Lozano’s side continued to push after the break and Gerardo Arteaga was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Felix Torres, while Julian Quinones tested Ecuador’s Alexander Dominguez with a long-range effort.
Mexico continued to throw bodies forward in their search of a winner and were awarded a penalty when Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martinez, but the decision was overturned after the referee consulted the pitchside monitor for a video review.
Mexico failed to get out of the group stage for the fourth time in its last five Copa América appearances, which could put coach Jaime Lozano’s job in jeopardy. Mexico was also eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
The former giants of Concacaf were eliminated in the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1978 in Qatar two years ago.
Ecuador, ahead 4-1 in goal differential, only needed a draw to reach the quarterfinals following a 3-1 win over Jamaica and a 2-1 loss to group leader Venezuela.
Mexico had a slight advantage in possession the first half (54%) and took seven shots, but continued its struggles with efficiency.
El Tri didn’t have a shot on goal and its best scoring chance came in the final minutes of the half, when Santiago Giménez sent a header over the crossbar.
Ecuador had the best chance of the half in the 19th minute, when Kendry Paez’s shot to the near post on free kick forced Julio González to make a save.
Mexico began ramping up the pressure early in the second half, creating more scoring opportunities.
Supporters of Mexico were irate when referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca didn’t call a foul when Ecuador’s Torres took down Arteaga in the penalty box, but the non-call was upheld on VAR. Santiago Giménez sent another header over the crossbar on the ensuing corner kick.
