Mexico eliminated from Copa America, Ecuador advances to quarter-finals after 0-0 draw

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Mexico were eliminated from the Copa America after drawing 0-0 with Ecuador, who advanced to the quarter-finals on Sunday evening after avoiding a penalty in injury time thanks to VAR review.

Mexico was initially awarded a penalty kick by referee Mario Alberto Escobar Toca when Félix Torres of Ecuador brought down Mexican striker Guillermo Martínez in the penalty area. VAR disallowed the penalty kick because Torres had touched the ball, and Mexico was awarded a corner kick, prompting a chorus of boos from Mexican fans at State Farm Stadium.

“I don’t like to talk about our referee. It is what it is and I believe we have more options now that we have VAR,” said Mexico coach Jaime Lozano. “After being eliminated early, I don’t want to talk about the referee.”

Ecuador survived a second-half Mexican onslaught in front of 62,656 mostly Mexican supporters to finish second in Group B behind Venezuela. Ecuador and Mexico finished on four points in their three-game series, but Ecuador advanced on goal difference and will face Group A winners Argentina in Houston on Thursday.

“Playing against Argentina, as it turned out, is a very difficult team because they have the best players in the world, they play in the best leagues at a high level,” Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez said through an interpreter. “They are very versatile, they have been playing together for a long time with the same coach and they still have a lot of ambition.”

Mexico have failed to advance from the group stage for the fourth time in their last five Copa America appearances, which could put Lozano’s job at risk.

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

Mexico has scored one goal from 57 shots in three Copa America matches.

“There were a lot of players who had never played in a tournament like this, which is right 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 developed in many ways. It’s not up to me to decide.”

Mexico needed a win to advance after losing 1-0 to Venezuela on a 57th-minute penalty and winning 1-0 over Jamaica in the tournament opener.

Ecuador, leading 4-1 on goal difference, needed only a draw to advance to the quarter-finals after a 3-1 win over Jamaica and a 2-1 defeat to group leaders Venezuela.

Mexico had a slight advantage in possession in the first half (54%) and had seven shots, but continued to struggle to score.

El Tri had no shots on goal, with their best chance coming in the final minutes of the first half when Santiago Giménez headed the ball over the crossbar.

Ecuador had their best chance of the first half in the 19th minute when Kendry Paez’s free kick hit the near post and Julio González had to save it.

“We talked about how when there was a back pass we should try to go forward, but they tried to press with two or three players,” Sánchez said. “We created two or three counterattacks, but in today’s football you have to be good in every phase.”

Mexico began to increase the pressure early in the second half, creating more scoring opportunities.

El Tri and his fans were furious when Toca failed to call a foul after Torres brought down Gerardo Arteaga in the penalty area, but the foul was upheld by VAR, and Giménez sent another header over the bar during the ensuing corner.

Julián Quiñones had Mexico’s best chance a few minutes later, shooting from inside the penalty area, but Alexander Domínguez spread himself and deflected the ball in. Giménez’s shot went wide of the goal.

Mexico continued to put pressure on Ecuador and thought they had a chance to save the tournament with a penalty, but it was taken away from them.

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