Co-hosts Mexico ended a 40-year FIFA World Cup knockout hoodoo on Tuesday with a convincing 2-0 victory over Ecuador at the iconic Azteca Stadium, booking their place in the Round of 16.
The Round of 32 encounter was delayed by an hour due to severe weather, but the interruption did little to slow Mexico’s momentum as they dominated proceedings from the opening whistle in front of a passionate home crowd.
Julian Quiñones opened the scoring midway through the first half with a powerful strike before providing the assist for Raúl Jiménez, who doubled Mexico’s advantage with a clinical finish.
Ecuador struggled to respond after the break, failing to gain control of the contest as Mexico comfortably protected their lead to secure their first World Cup knockout victory since hosting the tournament in 1986.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, who is leading the national team at a World Cup for the third time, admitted the victory carried special significance after previous disappointments.
“I am one of those who never managed to reach the fifth match,” Aguirre said, recalling Mexico’s eliminations during his previous spells in charge at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
“You have a good group stage, then you get stuck and cannot move forward. Today, there was a huge connection with the people.”
The 67-year-old described his squad as a united group deserving of their success.
“This team deserves what is happening. The connection with the fans has been incredible. We are in the last 16, we have been together for a long time, and we are truly a family,” he said.
The victory extended Mexico’s unbeaten run at the Azteca Stadium to 10 World Cup matches and sets up a Round of 16 clash against either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mexico have also emerged as one of the tournament’s standout teams after winning all three of their group-stage matches without conceding a goal, joining France and Argentina as the only teams to achieve that feat.
Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora made history by becoming the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, behind Brazilian legend Pelé, who achieved the feat in 1958.
Mexico threatened early, with Jiménez missing a headed opportunity before Mora narrowly missed the target. Ecuador’s best chance came when John Yeboah struck the outside of the post during one of the visitors’ few attacking moves.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Quiñones collected a pass from Roberto Alvarado, surged into the penalty area and fired an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez.
Mexico doubled their lead eight minutes later as Quiñones turned provider, setting up Fulham striker Jiménez, who curled his effort into the top corner.
Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece made several changes after halftime in a bid to spark a comeback, but Mexico remained in control and created further opportunities through César Montes.
The South Americans’ frustrations were compounded in stoppage time when defender Piero Hincapié was sent off following an altercation with an opposing player.
Mexico will now look to continue their impressive run when they return to the Azteca Stadium for their Round of 16 fixture on Sunday before the tournament shifts entirely to the United States from the quarter-final stage onward.
