The Manchester United winger was sent off for
the second time in four international fixtures
as France finished top of the group ahead of
Switzerland.
Ecuador missed out on a
place in the World Cup
last 16 after being held
to a 0-0 draw by France
on Wednesday.
The fate of Reinaldo Rueda’s men was always
likely to be partly governed by Switzerland’s
result against Honduras – with their 3-0 win
in Manaus helping to end Ecuador’s hopes.
But an inability to take the chances they
created against a much-changed France side,
as well as Antonio Valencia’s second-half
dismissal, was ultimately the South Americans’
undoing, while France too will recognise the
need for improvement ahead of their last-16
clash against Nigeria.
France coach Didier Deschamps made a raft
of changes, with les Bleus already virtually
guaranteed top spot, as the likes of Morgan
Schneiderlin, Lucas Digne and Antoine
Griezmann all started.
It led to a disjointed performance in certain
parts, but Ecuador were unable to find the
goal and the win they were always likely to
need.
Their chances were dealt a blow when captain
Valencia was sent off for raking his studs
down Digne’s knee, and that allowed France
to see out the game in relative comfort –
continuing to rest players ahead of their next
test.
France began with purpose as they pressed
and harried Ecuador but they were given an
early scare when Jefferson Montero got on the
end of Valencia’s long ball before being
crowded out. The lively Griezmann then pulled
an effort wide after 10 minutes as France
struggled to convert their possession into
clear-cut chances.
Deschamps’ six changes perhaps contributed to
the French looking slightly out of sorts,
although Moussa Sissoko was able to test
Alexander Dominguez in Ecuador’s goal with a
left-footed volley.
Blaise Matuidi’s careless loss of possession was
not punished by Enner Valencia 20 minutes in
before Bacary Sagna’s delivery evaded the
flapping Dominguez, as well as Karim
Benzema.
If France were frustrated in possession early
on, they were put under increasing pressure
after the half-hour mark.
Exhibiting tidy passing and smart movement,
Ecuador caused France problems without
forging any goalscoring opportunities.
Paul Pogba and Valencia both had headers
saved by their opposing goalkeepers late in the
half but neither side could break the deadlock
before the interval.
Griezmann’s flick was tipped onto the inside
of the post by Dominguez shortly after the
break before Ecuador captain Valencia was
dismissed for the second time in his last four.
Rueda was then left to rue Cristhian Noboa’s
wayward finishing after Valencia had robbed
Pogba of possession.
However, if France were troubled by an
Ecuador side with 11 men, they could afford
to coast somewhat following the dismissal of
Ecuador’s captain – Pogba almost making life
more comfortable when he went close with a
header late on.
Dominguez capped off a fine performance for
the South Americans with smart saves to deny
Benzema and Loic Remy in the final minutes
but it was not enough to stop them from
heading home early.
It proved far from vintage from Deschamps’
men but an unbeaten group stage still
represents progress for les Blues after their
shambolic exit in South Africa four years ago.
international appearances.
