WORLD CUP: Valencia sees red as Ecuador crash out

GROUP E

ECUADOR 0-0 FRANCE

WEDNESDAY 25TH JUNE – RIO DE JANEIRO

In an eventful 0-0 draw in Rio, it was Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia’s rightful red card for a horror, uncontrolled, over the top assault on Lucas Digne’s shin soon after the break that was the games main talking point.

When the red card was produced, Valencia, Ecuador’s captain, could have no complaints – however, it ended his side’s hopes of reaching the last sixteen.

The Ecuadorians crashed out but had keeper Alexander Dominguez to thank for making sure they did not lose their final game as he was equal to Paul Pogba’s shot as well as Antoine Griezmann’s effort before the half-time whistle.

Ecuador became the only one of the six CONMEBOL sides not to progress in a campaign that had promised so much.

The French go into the second round and will take on the Supereagles of Nigeria on Monday after topping Group E. However, they may need to improve on this performance if they want to go further as they looked lacklustre on the back of stunning displays against Honduras and Switzerland.

TEAMS

ECUADOR: Dominguez, Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, Ayovi, A. Valencia, Minda, Noboa (Caicedo 90), Montero (Ibarra 63), Arroyo (Achillier 82), E. Valencia.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: Erazo 83.

SENT OFF: A. Valencia 50.

FRANCE: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho (Varane 61), Digne, Griezmann (Remy 79), Pogba, Schneiderlin, Matuidi (Giroud 67), Sissoko, Benzema.

GOALS: None.

BOOKINGS: None.