Mexico were unceremoniously dumped out of Copa America on Sunday night, after struggling to score in front of 63,000 fans in Glendale, Arizona.
Their opponents Ecuador, meanwhile, secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina.
Elsewhere in Group B, Venezuela thrashed Jamaica 3-0 to seal top spot, and a face-off with Canada in the last eight.
Ecuador finished level with Mexico on four points but progress to the last eight thanks to a superior goal difference.
Mexico manager Jaime Lozano is likely to face increased scrutiny after they scored just one goal in their three group matches.
Jordi Cortizo of Mexico looks dejected after the team were dumped out of Copa America
Over 63,000 fans packed out State Farm Stadium for the 0-0 draw on Sunday evening
Lozano, Mexico’s third head coach in the last two years, also faced criticism after their 2-0 loss to the United States in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final, and defeats in two recent friendlies, including a 4-0 thrashing by Uruguay.
In a physical first half, Mexico attacked with real intensity as they sought the win they needed but lacked quality on the ball and failed to record a shot on target.
Lozano’s side continued to push after the break and full-back Gerardo Arteaga created a good opportunity after a powerful run into the box, before being denied by a last-ditch tackle from Felix Torres.
Venezuela celebrate after thrashing Jamaica 3-0 to top the group and reach the quarter-finals
Winger Julian Quinones tested Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez with a long-range effort in the 65th minute. Dominguez kept out Quinones’ shot with a diving save, with Mexico’s Santi Gimenez blasting the rebound off the post from a tight angle.
As Mexico threw bodies forward in their search for a winner, Ecuador increasingly posed a threat on the counter-attack and in the 68th minute Enner Valencia forced a save from Julio Gonzalez with a dipping strike.
Mexico were then awarded a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Torres appeared to bring down Guillermo Martinez but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
