Brazil 0, Ecuador 0 | Copa America Centenario Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

Top billing of day two of the Copa America Centenario, Brazil and Ecuador played to an entertaining yet scoreless draw at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Although partisans and neutrals alike were likely hoping for goals in this game, the quality of play overall was the best yet of the tournament. That said, there was plenty of chippy play and crunching tackles on the night. And while both teams' link-up play was solid, chances in the final third were limited and shots on target were hard to come by.

The biggest moment of the match came in the 66th minute, as a cross from the endline by Ecuador's Miller Bolaños was mishandled by Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and bounced into the net. But the referee waived the goal off, apparently due to the belief the ball went over the endline before Bolaños sent it towards goal, a call that replays showed was incorrect.

Box Score

Three Things

BOOS RAIN DOWN:
Even if this was the most entertaining game of the tournament to date, it still wasn't a classic. One indication of the general dissatisfaction? Boos rained down at the final whistle. The broadcast said it was for Brazil, and while there's no way to determine that for certain, the popularity and high expectations for the Brazilians mean it's quite likely the boos were intended for the
Selecao
.

NO ROOM FOR HULK: One of the biggest names of Brazil's Copa roster is the forward Hulk. Despite his reputation, Brazil head coach Dunga passed him up, in both the starting XI (veteran Jonas started) and off the bench (rising star Gabriel subbed in the game). It seems a curious decision considering three points were there for the taking, but Hulk will have to wait for the next game to see if he'll get minutes.

GROUP B MANEUVERING: There are two games to be played for each side in the group stage, of course, but the favorites in Group B are trailing in the standings to Peru, the only team to win on Saturday. Expectations are that Brazil and likely Ecuador will get the better of Peru, but the tensions are starting to rise already that one of these teams may not make it out of the group stage. Expect that tension to continue to ratchet up in the days to come.