Mexico defender Jorge Sanchez (2) and Ecuador midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento (16) battle for the ball.
Credit: Reuters via USA TODAY/Daniel Bartel
Glendale, Arizona: 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 finishing third in Group B.
Ecuador, who are looking to reach their first semi-final since hosting the event in 1993, 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.
Mexico manager Jaime Lozano is likely to face increased scrutiny after they scored just one goal in their three group matches.
Lozano, Mexico's third head coach in the last two years, also faced criticism after their 2-0 loss to the United States in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final, and defeats in two recent friendlies, including a 4-0 thrashing by Uruguay.
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.
Lozano's side continued to push after the break and full-back Gerardo Arteaga created a good opportunity after a powerful run into the box, before being denied by a last-ditch tackle from Felix Torres.
Winger Julian Quinones tested Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez with a long-range effort in the 65th minute. Dominguez kept out Quinones' shot with a diving save, with Mexico's Santi Gimenez blasting the rebound off the post from a tight 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 dipping strike.
Mexico were then awarded a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martinez but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.