Mexico's players celebrate after winning their 2026 Fifa World Cup round-of-32 match against Ecuador.
Image: AFP
Mexico turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium on Tuesday night, brushing Ecuador aside 2-0 to spectacularly shatter a Fifa World Cup knockout curse dating back 40 years.
The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather, but when play finally commenced, the tournament co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of relentless attacks.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julián Quiñones gave Mexico a thoroughly deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike, before turning provider for veteran forward Raúl Jiménez. Ecuador desperately needed to wrest back the momentum after the interval but consistently struggled to shift through the gears, leaving the home side largely in control of the tie.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout fixture since 1986, which coincidentally was the last time they hosted the global tournament. Tuesday's historic victory means they are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca, and they will firmly fancy their chances against either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
The rampant Mexicans were one of only three teams in the group phase to win all three of their fixtures — alongside powerhouse nations France and Argentina — and remarkably did not concede a single goal during the opening stage. Conversely, a sluggish Ecuador side had limped into the knockouts after finishing third in their respective group, scoring just two goals.
Intriguingly, 17-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora was named in the starting line-up for Mexico, becoming the second-youngest player to start a knockout match at a World Cup finals, behind only the legendary Pelé in 1958.
The home team started on the front foot, refusing to allow a shell-shocked Ecuador to settle into any rhythm. Jiménez wasted a glorious headed chance in the seventh minute before Mora flashed a venomous effort just wide of the target. At the other end, John Yeboah muscled his way into the penalty area in a rare, isolated foray forward for the visitors, clipping the outside of the near post.
Mexico finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. The Saudi-based Quiñones received the ball from Roberto Alvarado and tore down the left wing before driving into the penalty box and unleashing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez, raising the roof of the famous stadium.
The first hydration break failed to alter the script, and Mexico doubled their advantage after half an hour. Quiñones turned playmaker to feed Fulham striker Jiménez, who instinctively fired a rocket into the top corner.
Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was forced to produce a fine save to keep out another dangerous Yeboah effort as Ecuador briefly threatened to get a foothold in the match, but the chances kept flowing at the other end.
Ecuador head coach Sebastián Beccacece made a number of tactical changes after the break in an aggressive effort to find a way back into the contest. However, Mexico, largely content to sit back and protect their cushion, still looked the more threatening team on the counter-attack, with centre-back César Montes twice going close from set-pieces.
Ecuador substitute Kevin Rodríguez poked a snapshot just wide of the upright with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, but their options and time eventually ran out. To cap a miserable night for the South Americans, defender Piero Hincapié was shown a straight red card in stoppage time after covering his mouth during a heated confrontation with an opposition player.
Mexico will now fervently hope that the Azteca, which previously hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, can work its unique magic once again in the round of 16 on Sunday. From the quarter-finals onwards, all remaining matches at the World Cup will take place exclusively in the United States.