Mexico gamers have a good time after defeating Ecuador within the Spherical of 32 to qualify for the World Cup Spherical of 16 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, June 30, 2026. — Reuters
Mexico ended a 40-year watch for a World Cup knockout victory as first-half targets from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured a 2-0 win over Ecuador, sending the co-hosts into the final 16 amid euphoric scenes at a rocking Azteca Stadium.
The victory was Mexico’s first within the knockout phases of a World Cup since beating Bulgaria on house soil in 1986 and booked a gathering with both England or the Democratic Republic of Congo within the final 16, with the co-hosts returning to the Azteca for the stadium’s remaining match of the match.
Kickoff was delayed by an hour as a result of thunderstorms, however the climate did little to dampen an environment that surpassed even Mexico’s match opener, with over 80,000 followers turning the venue right into a sea of inexperienced lengthy earlier than the opening whistle.
Mexico fed off that power from the outset and almost took an early lead when Raul Jimenez peeled away to satisfy Luis Romo’s inviting cross, solely to stoop a header narrowly vast.
Teenager Gilberto Mora then got here inside inches of manufacturing one of many targets of the match, whipping a fierce effort from a decent angle simply past Hernan Galindez’s far publish.
Ecuador weathered the early strain and nearly shocked the house crowd when Gonzalo Plata launched a swift counter-attack that ended with John Yeboah skipping previous his marker earlier than drilling an angled effort towards the surface of the publish.
Mexico’s breakthrough arrived within the twenty second minute, although, and sparked deafening celebrations across the Azteca.
Roberto Alvarado picked out Quinones with a wonderfully weighted go by Ecuador’s excessive press, and the Colombian-born ahead shrugged off Willian Pacho earlier than opening his physique and unleashing a thunderous end into the highest nook for his third aim of the match.
Mexico doubled their benefit 9 minutes later after Ecuador cheaply surrendered possession on the sting of their very own penalty space. Jimenez began the transfer himself, exchanged passes with Quinones and rifled a first-time strike into the highest nook for his forty seventh worldwide aim, shifting inside 5 of Javier Hernandez’s all-time Mexico scoring file.
The hosts appeared reworked by their two-goal cushion, enjoying with confidence and depth as Ecuador struggled to comprise waves of green-shirted assaults roared on by the group.
Ecuador confirmed indicators of life earlier than the break and nearly pulled one again when Yeboah lower inside and unleashed a rising drive that compelled Raul Rangel into a wonderful diving save, however Mexico went into halftime firmly in management after producing arguably their most full 45 minutes of the match.
Workforce’s rallying cry
The second half started with 1000’s of Mexico supporters chanting “Y si si?” (“What if?”), a slogan that has turn into the staff’s rallying cry through the match as perception unfold by the packed Azteca that this might lastly be the yr the hosts ended their lengthy knockout drought.
Ecuador loved extra of the ball after the restart as they looked for a method again into the competition, however with out threatening Rangel.
On the different finish, Galindez produced a wonderful save to disclaim Mexico captain Cesar Montes’ highly effective header earlier than the defender glanced one other effort narrowly vast because the co-hosts continued to threaten from set items.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre then turned to his bench, withdrawing goalscorers Quinones and Jimenez together with 17-year-old Mora, who obtained a standing ovation after turning into the youngest participant to begin a World Cup match since Pele.
Ecuador threw males ahead within the closing phases however discovered no well past a disciplined Mexico defence, nonetheless to concede a aim within the match, and their frustration boiled over when defender Piero Hincapie was proven a purple card after masking his mouth whereas arguing with Santiago Gimenez.
As Mexico’s gamers embraced on the remaining whistle, the strains of the well-known mariachi music “El Rey” (The King) rang across the Azteca, with tens of 1000’s of supporters singing in celebration at their staff’s newest success.
