Ten-man Ecuador bravely held France to a 0-0 draw at Rio’s Maracana stadium but the European favourites still topped Group E to gain an easier second round tie. France finished on seven points, Switzerland on six, Ecuador on four and Honduras on zero.
France, who had scored eight goals in their two previous games, powered forward from the start.
But through luck, determination, bad finishing and brilliant goalkeeping by Alexander Dominguez, Ecuador resisted even after captain and Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia was ordered off early in the second half for a studs up challenge on Lucas Digne.
