Ecuador secured a place in the Copa América quarter-finals on Sunday after grinding out a 0-0 draw with Mexico, who bowed out of the tournament after they finished third in Group B.
Ecuador, who will play world champions Argentina in the quarter-finals, 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 Julián Quiñones tested Ecuador’s Alexander Dominguez with a long-range effort.
Mexico continued to throw bodies forward in their search for a winner and were awarded a penalty when Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martínez but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. Mexico were instead given a corner, as the team’s fans sent down a chorus of boos down from the stands at State Farm Stadium.
Mexico have now failed to make it out of the group stage in three of their last four Copa América appearances. El Tri were also eliminated in the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1978 in Qatar two years ago and lost to the United States in the Concacaf Nations League final in March.
In Sunday night’s other match Venezuela hammered Jamaica 3-0 in Texas to seal top spot in Group B and set up a quarter-final with Canada.
Venezuela had already booked their spot in the last eight with wins over Ecuador and Mexico and needed just a point against already eliminated Jamaica to clinch top spot and avoid facing defending champions Argentina in the next round.
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Eduard Bello’s powerful downward header put the South Americans in front in the 49th minute and Salomon Rondon doubled their lead seven minutes later with a scuffed effort past Jamaica keeper Jahmali Waite. Eric Ramirez added the third on the breakaway in the 85th minute.