Ecuador have held France to a 0-0 draw at the Maracana in the final Group E fixture at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The South Americans needed a win to book their place in the Round of 16 provided Switzerland beat Honduras - which occurred - but La Tri were unable to get the points required to progress.
It was an intriguing encounter in Rio which had France dominating large portions of the 90 minutes - especially after Ecuador captain Antonio Valencia was sent off early in the second half. However, Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus were incapable of encroaching the Ecuadorian goal-line which was protected manfully by Alexander Dominguez.
The LDU Quito number one was named Man of the Match for his eight-save display which included a couple of world-class stops to hold the French at bay.
In the 15th minute, Moussa Sissoko volleyed on target but Dominguez was well-placed to hold it comfortably before he tipped Paul Pogba's looping header from Antoine Griezmann's free-kick over the bar late in the first half.
Enner Valencia was close to giving Ecuador in the 41st minute but his back post header from a lofted, cross-field Michael Arroyo ball but was smartly kept out by France skipper Hugo Lloris.
Two minutes into the second half, France were unlucky when Bacary Sagna found Griezmann but the Real Sociedad winger saw his effort pushed brilliantly onto the woodwork by Dominguez.
That came minutes before Valencia was shown a red card for a poor studs-up challenge on French left-back Lucas Digne who needed some lengthy medical treatment.
There were plenty of chances in the final ten minutes highlighted by Arroyo's dazzling run down the left before firing wide prior to Alex Ibarra's sizzling left-footer which forced a great save from Lloris.
Karim Benzema then played a lovely one-two with second-half sub Olivier Giroud but the Real Madrid star's effort was hit straight at a grateful Dominguez who moments later produced an acrobatic save to deny Loic Remy's curling shot.
Giroud really should have scored when Sagna's lovely cross found him unmarked but he put his header straight at Dominguez who capped off a memorable individual performance with another save.
In the end though, the 73,749-strong crowd would not get to see a goal as France remained on top of Group E with seven points - one ahead of Switzerland - while Ecuador finished third on four points ahead of Honduras who failed to record anything from their three fixtures.
France will now play Nigeria in the Round of 16 in Brasilia on Monday as Ecuador prepare for the short trip back home.
2014 FIFA World Cup - Group E
Ecuador: 0 France: 0
Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro - 73,749
Yellow cards:ECU - Frickson Erazo 83' FRA - nil
Red card:ECU - Antonio Valencia 50'
