Sports

France and Ecuador drawing 0-0 at halftime in World Cup Group E game

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Ecuador's Jefferson Montero, left, takes a shot which is saved by France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as France's Lucas Digne, center, moves in during the group E World Cup soccer match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

Ecuador's Walter Ayovi collides with France's Bacary Sagna during the group E World Cup soccer match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (The Associated Press)

France and Ecuador went into halftime level at 0-0 in a scrappy contest in their final Group E match on Wednesday.

A draw would qualify France for the second round, while Ecuador's chances of advancing depend on the result of the game between Switzerland and Honduras being played at the same time in Manaus.

Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez denied France the lead in the 38th minute when he tipped over Paul Pogba's header from Antoine Griezmann's freekick, after Juan Paredes had barged into left back Lucas Digne.

France made six changes to the team which beat Switzerland 5-2 last Friday, with three of them in defense, while Ecuador made one change from the 2-1 win against Honduras as Michael Arroyo replaced Felipe Caicedo.