Final minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-3: It’s over in Group E.
Ecuador is out of the 2014 World Cup after its goalless draw with France left it with four points.
France wins Group E. Its goalless draw with Ecuador gave it seven points.
Honduras also is heading home after finishing bottom of the group. It lost to Switzerland — its third defeat in three games.
Switzerland is Wednesday’s big winner. It leapfrogged Ecuador and took over second place on the strength of a 3-0 victory over Honduras.
Here’s how the final Group E standings look.
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France will take on Nigeria on Monday in the Round of 16. Switzerland will face Argentina on Tuesday in the Round of 16.
That’s all for now and thanks for joining us. Let’s discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.
82nd minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-3: Ecuador needs a goal and misses with one of its best scoring chances of the game.
Lloris saved Alex Ibarra’s powerful shot. Cristhian Noboa tried to knock in the follow-up effort, but France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin blocked it.
73rd minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-3: Meanwhile, France and Ecuador are playing one of the least memorable games at this classic World Cup.
Future superstar Paul Pogba is latest to blow a scoring chance, as his header from close range goes wide.
71st minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-3: Shaqiri is taking it upon himself to carry Switzerland into the Round of 16.
[tweet https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/481912420290793473 align=’center’]
Switzerland striker Josip Drmic dribbled around Victor Bernardez in the Honduras penalty area before laying a pass off to Shaqiri, who slotted his shot into the goal to complete a historic hat-trick.
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52nd minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Jerry Bengston nearly cuts Switzerland’s lead in half, but fullback Ricardo Rodriguez clears the Honduran striker’s shot off the goal line.
50th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Ecuador captain Antonio Valencia has been dismissed.
Valencia made a two-footed, over-the-ball tackle and caught France’s Lucas Digne high on the leg with his cleats. Valencia tried to plead his case, but the referee sent him off anyway.
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47th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Ecuador goalkeeper Dominguez comes up big again. This time, he saves Antoine Griezmann’s shot off the post before it’s cleared out of danger.
46th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: The second halves are underway.
Ecuador has some work to do if it is to progress to the Round of 16.
Halftime, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: It’s halftime.
There’s some movement in the standings after Shaqiri’s first-half double.
As things stand now, Switzerland leapfrogs Ecuador and takes over second place in Group E. France would win the group and Honduras would finish last.
It could be a costly result for France, as the knockout rounds beckon.
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41st minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Not to be outdone, France goalkeeper Lloris makes a highlight-reel save of his own, preventing Enner Valencia’s low header from sneaking through his legs.
38th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez denies France’s Paul Pogba with a fine save — one of the better ones we’ve seen at the 2014 World Cup.
24th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-2: Switzerland is now up by two goals, and it’s that man Shaqiri again.
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The Swiss winger broke free behind the Honduras defense and beat goalkeeper Noel Valladares with a composed finish.
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24th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-1: Switzerland-Honduras hasn’t produced much action since Shaqiri’s early stunner.
Honduras has played better early on despite the one-goal deficit. It enjoys the lion’s share of possession but hasn’t turned it into quality scoring chances.
13th minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-1: Ecuador and France have yet to light up Rio de Janeiro’s Estadio Maracana with goals or scintillating play.
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Sixth minute, Ecuador-France 0-0, Honduras-Switzerland, 0-1: Switzerland has taken an early lead against Honduras.
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Xherdan Shaqiri unleashed a left-footed blast into the top corner of the Honduras goal from 25 yards out.
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Kickoff: The final Group E games will start shortly. Here are the lineups:
Ecuador:
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France:
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Honduras:
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Switzerland:
[tweet https://twitter.com/mediotiempo/status/481885499670269952 align=’center’]
3:45 p.m. ET: Group E of the 2014 FIFA World Cup ends with two games on Wednesday.
Group leader plays second-placed Ecuador in one matchup. Third-placed Switzerland takes on Honduras in the other contest.
France will win Group E as long as it doesn’t lose by six or more goals.
Ecuador must match (or improve on) Switzerland’s result against Honduras in order to guarantee a second-place finish and progression to the Round of 16.
Switzerland can advance to the knockout phase with a draw against Honduras, provided France beats Ecuador. If Switzerland defeats Honduras, it will need help from France in order to progress.
Here’s how Group E looks before kickoff:
[tweet https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/480139663428952064 align=’center’]
The games kick off at 4 p.m. Stay right here for all the action.
Group E preview >>
Photo via Twitter/@theScoreWC2014
