Azteca found its voice long before kick-off and never stopped singing. Even a one-hour delay caused by adverse weather could not quieten the famous stadium as Mexico delivered a night their supporters had waited four decades to witness, beating Ecuador 2-0 to secure their first FIFA World Cup knockout victory since 1986 and book a place in the last 16.
Roared on by a sea of green, Javier Aguirre’s side produced a blistering first-half display that proved too much for Ecuador. Julian Quinones opened the scoring before Raul Jimenez doubled the lead, leaving the co-hosts in complete control before the break.
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights
Mexico will now return to the Azteca on Sunday to face either England or DR Congo in the Round of 16, with belief growing that this team can finally end the country’s long-standing quarter-final drought.
The match eventually got underway after a one-hour delay because of lightning around the stadium, but Mexico wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest. They pressed high, moved the ball with confidence and pinned Ecuador deep inside their own half from the opening whistle.
Their pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Quinones collected the ball on the left, drove into the penalty area and fired a low shot inside the near post to send the home crowd into celebration.
Less than 10 minutes later, Mexico struck again. Jimenez played a neat one-two with Quinones before powering a superb finish into the top corner, giving Ecuador a mountain to climb before half-time.
Ecuador enjoyed more of the ball after the restart but struggled to create meaningful chances against a disciplined Mexican defence. Aguirre’s back line stayed organised throughout, frustrating every attempt to find a route back into the contest and extending Mexico’s remarkable run without conceding a goal at the 2026 World Cup to four matches.
The South Americans’ difficult night ended on a sour note in stoppage time when defender Piero Hincapie was shown a red card after covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opponent under FIFA’s latest regulations.
For Mexico, it was a victory that carried far greater significance than simply reaching the next round. Their last World Cup knockout win came at the same stadium in 1986, when they beat Bulgaria 2-0 during the last tournament they hosted. Since then, El Tri had suffered seven straight exits at the first knockout hurdle.
Tuesday’s win finally brought that painful run to an end.
The result also highlighted Mexico’s formidable record at the Azteca. They have not lost a competitive match at the famous venue since 2013 and remain unbeaten in World Cup matches played in Mexico City. They also became the first host nation since Italy in 1990 to win their opening four matches at a World Cup and only the fourth side in tournament history to achieve that feat without conceding a goal.
The celebrations inside the Azteca continued long after the final whistle. Mexico’s journey is far from over, but after ending a 40-year wait, the hosts have given their supporters another night to dream.
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