Group E wraps up this morning, with France taking to Ecuador at the Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6:00am (AEST).
France have provided a combination of free scoring (eight goals in two games)and vibrant play so far in the World Cup. It has them sitting comfortably atop their group. The European qualifiers have six points after 3-0 and 5-2 wins against Honduras and Switzerland.
Ecuador are on the outside looking in for qualification in Group E. They have three points following their 2-1 victory over the rugged Honduras side after suffering the reverse in their opening game against Switzerland.
The French side, looking unified after the chaotic nature of their group exit in 2010, are helped on the front line by Karim Benzema. The Real Madrid forward has three goals thus far in the tournament and will be looking to chase down Neymar in the golden boot standings.
The South American side will once again enjoy the home advantage which will spur on their wingers especially Enner Valencia who netted twice in their 2-1 victory against Honduras. The winger will be firmly in the shop window for European sides after his displays at the World Cup.
Head to Head: There has been a single meeting between the two sides, France triumphing 2-0 in a 2008 friendly.
Injury and Suspension News: Yohan Cabaye will miss the game due to accumulating two yellow cards in the first two group games. French defender Mamadou Sakho limped off in the 5-2 Switzerland victory and is in doubt along with Raphael Varane who is suffering a bout of gastroenteritis.
Fun Fact: France are undefeated against South American opposition, winning three and drawing the remainder.
Join The Roar at 6:00am AEST for all the thrills, spills and live coverage of the World Cup.
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Thank you for joining me! Have a lovely day!
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Ayovi takes and it is hacked away. FULLTIME! France 0 Ecuador 0. Scenario now: France, as group winners take on Nigeria, second in Group F. Switzerland as runners-up is rewarded with a game against Argentina.
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Another cross, another save by Dominguez! Oliver Giroud this time, the Arsenal man broke him his cover and headed it right into the waiting hand's of the Ecuadorian custodian. We're into the third minute of injury time.. as Ecuador try to carve out a final chance.. 30 seconds to go.. corner..
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Enner Valencia, the hero against Honduras, was away there down the left after beating Koscielny but he slipped at the vital moment allowing the French defence to recover and send it the other way. Loic Remy tried his luck but it went wide. ECU FRA 0 Pogba with a four-on-four looming, takes a touch and goes himself.. slashing it wide. Last change for Ecuador. Noboa and his hair net is OFF replaced by Caicedo Another striker. They are pushing everyone forward! Meanwhile Dominguez who has been a rock at the back, is down with cramp and adding valuable seconds for his side.
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Erazo picked up a yellow card in the last few minutes while Ecuador is pressing for at least once goal. It gives space for Benzema who has wasted a catalog of chances today to fire another weak effort at Dominguez, who pats it down and to safety. ECU 0 FRA 0 86'
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Ecuador with a rare foray into the France half. Arroyo miscued the effort wide though. It came right back for Ecuador who forced Lloris to bet the ball away. The game is opening up which could benefit Ecuador.
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Benzema again! The forward is itching to trouble the scorers, cutting inside again and firing a shot right into Dominguez. France meanwhile have made their final change; Griezmann is OFF, Remy is ON. Remy takes a scorching shot within a minute of his introduction. Unfortunately he hit it straight into a team-mate in Oliver Giroud. ECU 0 FRA 0 80'
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News from Manaus! Switzerland are leading 3-0! The scoreline meaning that Ecuador need to score twice without a French reply to book a place in the knockouts and keep the perfection for South American teams. Unfortunately for them I don't think it will be happening, as France continue to press, looking for the opener. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Paul Pogba with a miss Fernado Torres would be proud of there! The midfielder latched onto a delightful cross that hung just near the far post allowing the Juventus man to leap and head back across the goalmouth and out.
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That was fanciful. The French were probing for an opening, passing it around with ease before Morgan Schneiderlin had a dipping effort from range that sailed high. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Digne possibly still having flashbacks to the red card challenge from Valencia, halts an Ecudorian attack taking down his man without regard for the ball. Free-kick. Arroyo steps up to take and it almost went into another zip code. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Maituidi who just earnt the corner for the French side is being replaced. Oliver Giroud comes on for the PSG forward and almost lifts one into the net with his first touch. The required intervention though brings it out for a corner. That is cleared well. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Karim Benzema really wants his goal! The striker cut inside after receiving the pass from Pogba and had a deflection taken out for the corner. France are dominating the wilting Ecuador side who need a goal to head into the round of sixteen. The corner from Benzema's shot doesn't produce any significant danger. ECU 0 FRA 0 65'
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Dominguez who looked shaky in the opening 45, grown in stature in the opening stages of the second. He repelled a wicked cross from the wide left before Benzema linked up with Pogba sting the goalkeepers hands. Substitution for Ecuador now: Ibarra is ON replacing Montero
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Digne who has thankfully recovered after it looked grim for the defender following the Antonio Valencia challenge. He set up a cross that needed intervention for the corner followed by the coaches favoured second effort that was hacked clear. First change of the evening, is made by the Group E leaders. Mamadou Sakho is OFF replaced by Raphael Varane
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Noboa has worked hard since he was suitably hairnetted. He sprayed a pass out to Montero, who bounced off a defender before taking the ball too wide for a cross, as it went into the side netting. Down the other end, Karim Benzema is still searching for an opening, as his shot was blocked. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Valencia was in the headlines for the right reasons this time. Enner Valencia orchestrating a counter-attack against the French spraying it out to Noboa who didn't get any power or accuracy on the shot allowing Lloris to watch it go wide.
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Drama! Antonio Valencia is SENT OFF! . The Ecuador captain went in studs up and over the ball against Digne who is down receiving attention after the challenge. Referee didn't muck around and reached straight for his pocket. Ecuador have a huge mountain to climb now with only ten men against a free-scoring French side. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Sagna wrecking some havoc early after the restart, as he fired in a low cross for Griezmann who side-footed it into Dominguez, who scampered well to be in the right position. It almost came right back in from the same outlet before it was shut down effectively by the defence this time. ECU 0 FRA 0
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Peep! Back underway here! France rolling the ball out of the center-circle. ECU 0 FRA 0