Mexico ended a 40-year drought in World Cup knockout matches by defeating Ecuador 2-0 at the electric Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. After a one-hour lightning delay, the home crowd energized El Tri, who dominated from the start and scored twice in nine first-half minutes through Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
The victory matches Mexico’s only previous knockout success a 1986 win over Bulgaria at the same stadium and marks a historic moment for the host nation. Coach Javier Aguirre said the atmosphere at the Azteca was unlike anything he had seen in four decades, praising the players and fans for their passion and performance.
Mexico’s clean sheet continued a dominant tournament run. The hosts are now one of only four teams in World Cup history to win their first four matches without conceding. Quiñones notched his third goal of the tournament, moving up the list of Mexico’s top World Cup scorers, while Jiménez added his second goal and moved closer to becoming Mexico’s all-time leading scorer.
The win also made history regionally: Mexico became the first CONCACAF side to eliminate a CONMEBOL team in a World Cup knockout match. Ecuador’s promising campaign ended disappointingly, compounded by a second-half stoppage-time red card for defender Piero Hincapié under a new rule penalizing players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents.
Looking ahead, Mexico will aim to reach the quarterfinals when they return to Estadio Azteca to face either England or DR Congo on Sunday. With just two losses in 89 competitive matches at the Azteca and an unbeaten run in 10 World Cup games in Mexico City, the hosts will be heavy favorites as they chase a rare deep run in the tournament.
