Mexico draw sends Ecuador to last eight

GLENDALE, Arizona — Ecuador avoided conceding a stoppage-time penalty after a VAR review, earning a spot in the Copa America quarterfinals with a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Sunday night.

Mexico was initially awarded a penalty by referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca, when Ecuador's Felix Torres took down Mexican forward Guillermo Martinez Ayala in the penalty box. VAR rescinded the penalty because Torres touched the ball, and Mexico was awarded a corner kick, sending a chorus of boos raining down from the Mexican fans at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.

"I don't like to talk about the referee. It is what it is, and I believe we have more possibilities now that we have VAR," Mexico coach Jaime Lozano said. "After an early exit, I don't want to talk about the referee."

Ahead on goal differential, Ecuador weathered a second-half push by Mexico in front of 62,656 mostly pro-Mexico fans to finish second in Group B behind Venezuela. Ecuador will now face Group A winner Argentina in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Houston.

"Playing against Argentina, in our experience, is very tough, because they have the world's best players, they play in the best leagues at a high level," Ecuador coach Felix Sanchez said through an interpreter. "They are very versatile, have been playing together for a long time with the same coach and they still have a lot of ambition."

Mexico failed to get out of the group stage for the fourth time in its last five Copa America appearances, which could put Lozano's job in jeopardy.

In Qatar 18 months ago, El Tri was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1978, and lost to the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League final in March.

Mexico had one goal from 57 shots in its three Copa America games.

"There were many players who had never played in a tournament like this, which is directly below the World Cup," Lozano said. "Other players (who played) in the Cup didn't have the results of other games. But, I believe the team has grown in many aspects. The decision is not up to me."

Mexico needed a win to advance after losing 1-0 to a 57th minute Venezuelan penalty kick and beating Jamaica 1-0 in the tournament opener.

Ecuador, with its 4-1 goal differential, only needed a draw to reach the quarterfinals, following its 3-1 win over Jamaica and a 2-1 loss to group leader Venezuela.

Mexico had a slight advantage in possession the first half (54 percent) and took seven shots, but continued to struggle with its efficiency.

El Tri didn't have a shot on goal, and its best scoring chance came in the final minutes of the first half, when Santiago Gimenez sent a header over the crossbar.

Ecuador had the best chance of the half in the 19th minute, when Kendry Paez's shot to the near post from a free kick forced Julio Gonzalez to make a save.

"We've discussed when there was a pass backward, we should try to move ahead, but they were trying to press with two or three players," Sanchez said. "We created two or three counterattacks, but in modern soccer, you have to be good in every phase."

Agencies Via Xinhua