Brazil and Ecuador Both Scoreless in Copa America Centenario Opener at the Rose Bowl

Brazil and Ecuador both finished scoreless in their Copa America Centenario match at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Saturday.

Brazil played without its star attacker Neymar who was at the stadium but didn’t have permission from Barcelona to play in both Copa America and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Ecuador did come close to scoring in front of the crowd of 53,158 but an apparent goal wasn’t counted as the ball was ruled to have gone out of bounds before the shot.

Ecuador’s Miler Bolanos had chased down the ball near the goal line on the right side of the penalty area during the play. Bolanos slipped a ball to the front of the goal, and Brazil’s Alisson mishandled the ball and watched it bounce off his hands and into the goal.

However, referee Julio Bascunan ruled that the ball crossed the goal line before Bolanos’ shot and awarded Brazil a goal kick.

Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros said he was convinced the goal should have counted.

With the result, Peru finished the day atop Group B after a 1-0 victory over Haiti 1-0 in Seattle earlier Saturday. Group B play resumes Wednesday as Brazil plays Haiti in Orlando while Ecuador will meet Peru in Glendale, Arizona.

The draw maintained Brazil’s dominance over Ecuador in Copa America. Brazil is 12-0-2 against Ecuador in the tournament.

Colombia will be playing against Paraguay Tuesday, June 7, and Mexico comes up against Jamaica on Thursday, June 9, at the Rose Bowl.