Needing a win to progress to the quarterfinals, Japan ended drawing 1-1 with Ecuador and as a result, is eliminated from the Copa America.



In a must-win match for both Group C teams, Japan started well and took the lead in the 14th minute, Shoya Nakajima hitting home the goalkeeper clearance from a Shinji Okazaki one-on-one. However, Ecuador struck in the 34th minute when a Eiji Kawashima save was turned back into the net by Angel Mena.

Both teams continued to attack each other in the second half, particularly Ecuador, which always posed a threat going forward with their attack channeled through Enner Valencia. Towards the end of the match, Japan took off holding midfielder Ko Itakura and threw on Daizen Maeda. The forward had a chance in the 90th minute when Takefusa Kubo put him through, but did not make it count. Five minutes of additional time later, the match ended 1-1.

The result means Paraguay from Group B progress due to their better goal difference.

Japan 1-1 Ecuador

(Shoya Nakajima 14′ – Angel Mena 34′)

Starting XI: Kawashima, Iwata, N.Ueda, Tomiyasu, Sugioka, Shibasaki (C), Itakura (⬆️Maeda 88′), Miyoshi (⬆️Abe 83′) , Kubo, Nakajima, Okazaki (⬆️A.Ueda 60′)

Chile 0-1 Uruguay

(Edinson Cavani 82′)

Copa America Grp. C

P Team M W D L GD P 1 Uruguay (A) Uruguay (A) 3 2 1 0 5 7 2 Chile (A) 3 2 0 1 4 6 3 Japan 3 0 2 1 -4 2 4 Ecuador 3 0 1 2 -5 1

Copa America Grp. B

P TEAM M W D L GD P 1 Colombia (A) 3 3 0 0 4 9 2 Argentina (A) 3 1 1 1 0 4 3 Paraguay (A) 3 0 2 1 -1 2 4 Qatar 3 0 1 2 -3 1 Copa America Grp. A P TEAM M W D L GD P 1 Brazil (A) Brazil (A) 3 2 1 0 8 7 2 Venezuela (A) 3 1 2 0 2 5 3 Peru (A) 3 1 2 1 -3 4 4 Bolivia 3 0 0 3 -7 0

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Source: Yahoo

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