Despite laying siege to ten-man Ecuador’s goal, France were made to settle for a point that sends them into the last 16 as Group E winners.

Didier Deschamps’ side mus­tered 21 shots on goal, nine on tar­get, but were unable to find a way past ‘keeper Alexander Dominguez in a drab encounter.

With Switzerland expected to beat Honduras in Manaus, Ecua­dor knew they would probably need to overcome France at the Mara­cana but their challenge ultimately floundered as captain Antonio Valencia was rightfully shown a red card shortly after half-time.

The result means France will now play Nigeria in the second round in Brasilia on Monday.

Ahead of kick-off Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda made the bold decision to start Michael Arroyo in place of Al Jazira striker Felipe Cai­cedo. However, if the Colombian hoped the change would ignite his side against the 1998 world champi­ons, their charge failed to material­ise in an uneventful first half.

Indeed it was the French – who were perhaps lucky not to be reduced to 10 men early on as Mamadou Sakho appeared to elbow Oswaldo Minda at a corner – who had the better of the few opportuni­ties there were.

Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba were recalled by Deschamps, and both looked lively in patches before half-time.

But it was right-back Bacary Sagna who almost created his side’s best open­ing, as Dominguez got a vital fin­gertip on his 27th minute cross to divert the ball just out of the reach of Karim Benzema.

Rueda’s men had been busy if not entirely effective, and having recovered from an earlier injury scare Enner Valencia would test Hugo Lloris, rising at the far post to head Arroyo’s deep cross at goal.

Ecuador’s chances of making the knockout stages suffered a serious blow five minutes after the restart as skipper Antonio Valencia was sent off following a two-footed lunge on Lucas Digne.

Minutes earlier Dominguez had been at full stretch to deny Griez­mann, but a man down the South Americans suddenly found some attacking verve.

Enner Valencia led a three-on-two breakaway, but crucially delayed his pass to Chris­tian Noboa, with the bandaged midfielder having to check his run before slicing well wide.

France then began to take con­trol, with Griezmann, Blaise Ma­tuidi and Benzema all going close.

Deschamp clearly wanted to fin­ish Group E with a 100 per cent record, throwing on Olivier Giroud as his side searched for the decisive goal.

They were almost made to pay as Renato Ibarra cut in from the right and drew a good stop from goalkeeper Lloris.