Good evening everyone and welcome to our live coverage as Ecuador take on France at the Estadio Maracana. Both teams go into this final Group E game with a chance of qualifying, though France are almost guaranteed qualification tonight. Les Bleus require just a point to progress into the last 16 in top spot, with a loss also likely to see the French through. Ecuador, however, need to match the hard task of mirroring Switzerland's result against Honduras.

France have almost breezed through this group, with a number of onlookers now backing them as dark horses to end up in the final. The big task for Didier Deschamps now is to dampen expectation and get his players to focus on the task in hand. His side have been free flowing throughout this tournament having bagged eight goals in two games at the World Cup.

Les Bleus may not have had the toughest of tests so far, though they've dispatched every team put in front of them. The side's last result, netting five against Switzerland in a 5-2 victory, sent out a big message to other teams in the tournament, suggesting that France are now well equipped enough in every department to present a sizable challenge to any team that comes their way in the next round.

France's midfield has been of particular delight in South America, with Mathieu Valbuena, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi all providing progressive movement from the centre of the pitch. The French have also had the sheer power and skill of Karim Benzema to call upon, who has already set out the yardstick for frontmen this tournament. Benzema has already netted three goals in two games and will be looking to extend that purple patch further tonight.

Such is France's progression under Deschamps, Les Bleus have now scored three or more goals in consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since the 1998 group stages, which was the last time that they lifted the World Cup.

Ecuador are certainly no pusher overs though, having only just lost out to Switzerland in their first game and producing a strong comeback to beat Honduras 2-1 last time out. The standout player for the Ecuadorians has obviously been striker Enner Valencia, who has scored seven times in his last six appearances - netting at least once in each of those six outings.

Despite strong showings in their last two games, France may have to make some changes tonight. Deschamps will be without the suspended Yohan Cabaye, with Rio Mavuba coming in as his likely replacement.

The French could also be forced to make changes to their centre-back pairing, with Mamadou Sakho struggling with a thigh issue and Raphael Varane trying to get past a troublesome stomach bug.

We've got word on some team news for you now...

ECUADOR STARTING XI: Domínguez; Paredes, Ayoví, Minda, Guagua, Erazo, A Valencia, Noboa, E Valencia, Arroyo, Montero

FRANCE STARTING XI: Lloris; Sagna, Digne, Schneiderlin, Koscielny, Sakho, Pogba, Matuidi, Benzema, Sissoko, Griezmann

ECUADOR SUBSTITUTES: Banguera, Ibarra, Mendez, Rojas, Caicedo, Bone, Ayovi, Bagui, Saritama, Martinez, Achilier, Gruezo

FRANCE SUBSTITUTES: Debuchy, Evra, Varane, Cabella, Valbuena, Giroud, Mavuba, Mangala, Ruffier, Remy, Landreau

So, as expected, France have made changes, but I was anticipating them in such a large number. They've made three changes at the back, with Bacary Sagna and Lucas Digne coming into the full-back positions and Laurent Koscielny slotting into centre-back. Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin comes into a midfield three, which also contains the ever-impressive Paul Pogba. Up top, Olivier Giroud sits out and makes way for the young Antoine Griezmann.

Meanwhile, Ecuador will be relying on the attacking talents of Enner Valencia, who makes the starting XI. It looks like his country's hopes will be resting pretty much on his own shoulders tonight given the mammoth task ahead of them. He might get a little help from Manchester United's Antonio Valencia though, who will look to stretch France with his pace and strength out on the right flank.

These big changes for France will be interesting to watch and should provide a good indication as to whether they have the real strength in depth required to win a World Cup in a South American context. I've been really impressed with France's midfield so far and tonight will be intriguing as to how they will adapt with Pogba and Schneiderlin sitting alongside Matuidi.

Usually when sussing out international fixtures, it does pay to look at both sides' history when facing one another. However, that's not really going to help tonight given that these teams have met just twice on the international stage. France won their last encounter 2-0 in a friendly game in 2008.

One statistic does lie in favour of Les Bleus though, with the French escaping defeat in their last six games against South American teams at World Cup, having won three and drawn three.

I think the key battle ground tonight will be in midfield. France have bossed this area in the past two games, with both Honduras and Switzerland failing to get a handle on the movement of the midfield three. They might stand a bit of a better chance tonight given the changes, but I still believe France have far too much class in this area. If the midfield does malfunction, Les Bleus also have a dynamic front three to rely on, who are capable of dropping back and making it a 4-5-1 to stifle any Ecuadorian playmaking.

Ecuador do possess pace however, and this could likely be a threat for France. They've looked a little bit shaky when placed under pressure at the back and without the pace of Evra and Debuchy, they could come unstuck against a rapid Ecuadorian frontline.

We've got an incredibly hot setting on offer in Rio, with temperatures currently peaking at around 28 degrees and a humidity rating of around 49%. This could favour the Ecuadorian side, however France can move the ball well enough to enable their players to keep cooler than most other teams under the Brazilian sunshine.

So time for a prediction then as we head towards kickoff at 9pm. I think France will go on to win this game comfortably and prove to the other teams in the tournament that they're serious contenders. They hold too much quality across the pitch, despite tonight's changes, with midfield and attack two real problem areas Ecuador will find hard to contain. I fancy the South Americans to pinch a goal, but I feel France will breeze this one: 3-1 to Les Bleus!

Here's how things were shaping up in Rio earlier as fans began to pack out the stadium:

The players are currently in the tunnel as they wait to be led out by today's officials. Antonio Valencia stands stern faced as Ecuador now begin their march onto the pitch, where both sides are met with rapturous applause from a sold-out stadium.

Ecuador get us underway with their national anthem, with all 11 players singing away loud and proud. The South Americans are dressed in yellow and blue, while France don an all white strip.

We're just seconds away from kickoff now, will France go on to secure qualification with nine points from three games? We'll soon see...

KICKOFF! Ecuador begin, kicking from left to right, beginning their assault with a punt forward, which is intercepted by Matuidi. He sets up a move with Pogba driving forwards, he feeds Digne on the left, but the cross is cleared away.

Ecuador aren't showing any signs of shyness as they start to move the ball around in short, neat triangles. They prove a little too cheeky though and Digne grabs the ball on the left. He scampers down the wing before squaring into Matuidi, who drives an effort straight into the on-rushing defensive line.

Sissoko shows great feet around 30 yards out and draws a clumsy foul. From the free kick, France move the ball out wide into Sissoko, who calmly sets the ball back into his defensive teammates, as France look to find their rhythm in the field of possession.

The play is all in midfield at the moment and France show some great skill to move it past their Ecuadorian counterparts. Pogba is given far too much space given his reputation, but he fires tamely into a defender from 25 yards.

Some bad news for Ecuador with Switzerland already leading Honduras 1-0 in Group E's other fixture...

CLOSE! France move the ball around the box but can't find a way through. Following a scrappy exchange the ball breaks to the young man Griezmann, who flashes a shot just wide of Domínguez's near post.

Poor play from Domínguez as the ball is played into the Ecuadorian keeper as his side look to maintain possession. Instead, the goalkeeper launches a poor kick forward straight into the path of Pogba, who feeds Sissoko wide on the left, but he can't produce the goods as his cross crashes straight into the full-back and away to safety.

France are already looking like dominating the wide areas and it's their movement infield from these positions that could be telling. This time it is Digne who feeds Benzema, with the striker then shifting it to Pogba. The Juventus man plays a delightful chipped ball behind the defence into the path of Sissoko, who does produce the quality required to keep the ball under control.

CLOSE! But hang on, Sissoko shows something this time as he rattles a volley first time into the near post, leaving Domínguez to get across and make a good save. It comes from nothing really, with the ball looping up into the path of the winger following a cross into the box.

More bad news for Ecuador as Enner Valencia hobbles off the pitch. It looks like he's stretched something. We'll let you know if he makes it back onto the pitch.

France are continuing to move the ball around in the middle as they try to find out a way of breaking down Ecuador. It's mostly been the flanks that have threatened, though the South Americans have remained resolute.

CLOSE! Honduras are almost in as Matuidi sloppily gives the ball away in the centre of the pitch. Valencia leads the charge forward, but Koscielny does just about enough to put pressure on the striker and allow Lloris to rush out and collect on the slide.

Enner Valencia is beginning to put a little bit of pressure on the centre-backs as he charges forward in an attempt to claim a bouncing ball. He beats Sakho with ease, but the angle is always against the shot and he smashes it wide.

Ecuador are enjoying a bit of possession now, by far their best spell of the game. France look to be missing Cabaye a little bit, who is so good at retaining the ball and ensuring it ticks over in the middle.

Benzema is looking a tad quiet as he looks to drop deep and retrieve the ball. He comes short to set up the play with Pogba, but there's nobody of height in the box to attack the cross.

CLOSE! France attack down the right this time and it's Sagna who is forward. He puts in a great cross, which looks to allude the out-coming Domínguez, the problem is that it flashes straight past Benzema too. Replays show the keeper actually got a vital touch on it. Great play from the Ecuadorian stopper!

We've got a stoppage in play now with Noboa down with a head injury. The stretcher is on, but I'm not sure if it'll be needed or not.

Noboa returns to the pitch wearing something that resembles a hybrid between a shower cap and a fishing net, presumably to prevent the blood from pouring down his face. Surely a bit of Vaseline would do, though?

France haven't really got a grip on this tie yet, despite having good spells of possession. Ecuador look dangerous when they run at France, however Montero does all the hard work but can't finish off with a half-decent pass as Matuidi gets back to reclaim possession.

Word in is that Switzerland now have a two-goal lead over Honduras. Ecuador will now need to match that result in order to progress into the last 16.

CLOSE! Ecuador show their strength down the left as Arroyo scrambles forward at pace. He has the beating of Sagna, but can't do enough to get keep his cross away from Lloris at the near post, who comes out to collect comfortably. Good commanding play from the Tottenham Hotspur man given that Valencia was lurking in the box.

I think France are paying for their changes already. They don't quite seem to have the same control over the game as they have done in previous matches. Everything is a little off key and they aren't putting their forward passes together with the same sort of intent as usual.

SAVE! Domínguez pulls off a fine stop to deny Pogba, who looks to loop a header over the keeper following a corner. The midfielder is up perfectly to loft the ball, but the keeper isn't having any of it as he leaps like a salmon to tip the ball over the crossbar. The camera men must've loved that one!

SAVE! It's Lloris this time who is called into action and is required to scramble the ball off the line. France are a little sloppy at right-back, leaving a cross to come towards the far post. Digne is beaten by Valencia, who nods a header down towards the goal. Luckily, Lloris is on hand and he does just about enough to keep it from going over the line.

Good work from Domínguez again as France break forward with pace. Griezmann and Benzema exchange a one-two, leaving the youngster to nip in behind the defence. However, the keeper rushes off his line to collect the ball and clear the danger.

Les Bleus have been sloppy in midfield, this time as Sissoko gives the ball away to Valencia. For some strange reason, nobody decides to put him under pressure as he pushes towards goal. He tries something from distance, but his shot slams into Sakho who looks to rush the player into a shot.

We're going to have two minutes of added time in this first half...

Sakho is left on the floor following a meaty altercation with Valencia, with both players jumping to win the ball. From the free kick, France knock it short and don't seem to have too many ideas going forward at the end of this 45.

HALF TIME: FRANCE 0-0 ECUADOR Well the referee calls time on a rather dull first half. This might be the worst 45 minutes we've seen in this tournament. Ecuador don't seem to have the quality to get the two goals required, while France really don't seem to care that much about winning this encounter.

The changes have obviously played a part in this France performance, with Les Bleus playing this game more like a friendly at the end of a long season. They've been a tad disappointing in midfield, where they haven't been able to make the quick transitions that were so destructive in the first two games.

One positive, however, has been the French's ability to press the ball all over the pitch. If they are to score, this looks like the most probably source, as they consistently win the ball back high up the field, leaving the Ecuadorians exposed at the back.

Benzema has been far too quiet so far and the French will be looking to get the Real Madrid striker involved more in the second period.

It's been a strange half given that some of the players on show for France should be staking a claim to be featured in the latter stages of the tournament. Schneiderlin has been a disappointment and will need to get his foot on the ball more often in the final 45 minutes.

Ecuador have actually held the lion's share of possession in the opening half, having kept 61% of the ball. This might not trouble France too much though, as they'll mainly be worried about their opponent's counter-attacking abilities.

Deschamps might take Benzema and a few others off in the second period as he looks to rest them for the important last-of-16 fixture. Ecuador are going to need to go at this tie with a little more intent too, given that Switzerland currently hold a 2-0 lead over Honduras.

SAVE!France get us back underway and Les Bleus ping the ball forward. Sagna whips in a dangerous ball into the box, leaving Griezmann to flick the ball towards goal. It's headed for the back of the net but for Domínguez, who pulls of a blinding save to keep the ball out.

RED CARD! We've got a stoppage in play now as Antonio Valencia pulls out a lunge on Digne, though I'm not so sure it's intentional. The full-back is down at the moment after a hefty challenge with studs up and the Ecuador captain is given a straight red. Game changer, surely!

This should open up the game a little more. Ecuador know they need a result and will surely push on to achieve it. France will obviously look to exploit the space and I expect they'll have a little more joy now.

MISS! Pogba gives the ball away and Ecuador break at pace - it's their chance to seize the initiative! However, the ball is fed to Noboa on the edge of the box and he flashes wildly at it and the ball ends up a good few yards wide of Lloris' near post.

The red hasn't damped Ecuadorian spirits as they looked to keep possession in the centre of the park. However, they're picked off too easily and France begin to move forward again. However, Sagna loses out to Montero who scampers forward, leaving the full-back in his wake. However, he can't keep the ball in play with the cross and France welcome a goal-kick.

BLOCK! Noboa does brilliantly to deny Pogba as he picks up a skillful layoff from Benzema. It looks as though the midfielder is set to pass the ball into the corner of the goal, but the centre-back scampers across and gets a great block on the shot.

CLOSE! Pogba causes problems again as he tries a deft dink into the path of Benzema, however Domínguez comes off his line to claim.

CLOSE! Following more calculations, it's now apparent Ecuador would only require a 1-0 win to go through as runners up. Benzema almost makes it a lost hope as he dips into the space outside the box and unloads a shot, which is deflected just wide of the bottom corner of goal.

SUBSTITUTE: Les Bleus are now starting to assert a little bit more dominance as the extra man starts to show. They bring on Giroud for Matuidi as they look to stretch the game.

Well, well, well... France knock it around in midfield as they look for a way through, but Ecuador's five-man midfield shuffles across to close out any danger. Pogba gets a wee bit frustrated and attempts to smash in an effort from about 40 yards. Safe to say, it's not going to trouble anyone as it flies high and wide of the goal. Might be the most entertaining thing I've seen all game...

The French continue to hold the ball around the box. This time Schneiderlin looks to make use of the bouncing ball as he flicks it over an on-coming sliding tackle. As the ball comes back down to earth, he attempts a first-time, dipping volley that goes over the bar. Great bit of skill, though not quite enough class on the finish.

CLOSE! Wow. How has he missed this? Sagna is given too much time to send in a ball towards the back-post where Pogba is lurking. He leaps highest above the defender but sends the header back across goal and wide of the post. He really should have scored!

Switzerland are now three goals to the good, with Xherdan Shaqiri grabbing the 50th hat-trick in the history of the World Cup. Ecuador will now need a two-goal victory. Impossible, surely?

France look like they're running out of ideas as they continue to reach the box, but have no answers as to how to unlock the defence. As a result, Benzema tries his luck from distance, but Domínguez is fully behind it. He's been impressive tonight!

Arroyo is thumping the floor as he shows how desperate his team are to stay in this World Cup. He gets past Sagna on the left-flank, but is forced wide and lashes a shot into the side netting despite breaking at pace.

SAVE! Ecuador come close again as they pull in from the right side of the pitch this time. It's the substitute Ibarra who gains a yard of space and gets off a shot which thumps into the gloves of Lloris, leaving Sakho to hoof the ball away from danger. They're getting close, but one still won't be enough.

SAVE! This will be a game to remember for Domínguez, who has played a big part in this match. The game is end-to-end now, as Giroud pulls the ball back for Benzema inside the box. The Madrid frontman crashes an effort at goal, but the keeper punches clear. Solid work!

SAVE! Guess who? Yep, him again... This time the keeper does well to get across and deny Remy, who looks to bend a left-footed curler into the net at the far post. Not much is happening in terms of build up, lots of pot-shots and create work from the Ecuador stopper...

CLOSE! Ecuador are tired and it's starting to show. Pogba isn't tracked at all as he continues towards goal. Instead of laying off a pass, he has a go from distance, but fires wide without testing the keeper.

CLOSE! We're going to have four minutes of additional time. Ecuador must surely know this is beyond them now? France continue to attack, with Sagna delivering a peach of a cross. However, yet again, Domínguez keeps it out as Giroud heads straight into his hands from about five yards.

France have missed a host of chances this evening and if they're this wasteful against the teams in the next round, they could quite easily pay the price.

Almost a consolation for Ecuador as the ball is scrambling around in the box. Caicedo looks to make the most of it, but he is put under enough pressure to miss control and France clear the danger. It's been valiant, but too little too late.

There we have it then, Ecuador are the first South American team to bid farewell to the tournament. France progress into the last 16 as winners and will now face Nigeria in the next round. A better second half in all honesty, with some great goalkeeping, but overall it was a bit of a damp squib. I'm not too sure those France changes will fill Deschamps with much confidence in his rotational department. But they still have enough quality to go far, I'm sure.