ECUADOR secured a place in the Copa America quarter-finals on Sunday after grinding out a 0-0 draw with Mexico, who bowed out of the tournament after finished third in Group B.
Ecuador face 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 for a winner and were awarded a penalty when Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martinez but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
