Rampant Mexico punish Ecuador to win first World Cup knockout game in 40 years

Mexico secured their first World Cup knockout victory in 40 years after seeing off Ecuador 2-0 at a raucous Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, 1 July, to book their place in the last 16 of the 2026 tournament.

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Two goals inside nine first-half minutes were enough for El Tri, as they ended their knockout miseries in previous tournaments, securing their first victory in a World Cup elimination game since beating Bulgaria 2-0 in the last 16 of their home 1986 World Cup.

After an hour-delay due to thunderstorms and threat of lightning in the area, Mexico were off to a dream first half as in-form striker Julián Quiñones gave the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute, when he fed off a lovely ball on the left to smack home beyond Hernan Galindez.

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Talisman Raul Jimenez, would, in the 31st minute, add a brilliant second for the men in green, as they enjoyed an evening to remember, booking their place in the next round against either England or DR Congo on Monday, 6 July (0300 EAT) at their boisterous stomping ground.

The win extended Mexico's brilliant run in this year's tournament, where they have won all games and conceded none, becoming the first side to keep a cleansheet in their first four games since Italy in 1990.

Despite the delay, the atmosphere at the 84,000 seater stadium was not dampened one bit, as visiting Ecuador were treated to a loud welcome that might have had them quaking in their boots.

If in need of how the hosts were going to approach the hugely-important game, then the first 10 minutes bore the answer, as all of Robert Alvarado, Luis Romo and Jimenez went close to giving Mexico an early lead.

Alvarado, in the fifth minute, saw his shot charged down by Joel Ordonez, while Romo and Jimenez all saw their efforts bounce off target; the latter a point-blank header.

The much-talked about youngster Gilberto Mora, on the other hand, flashed a shot wide in the 15th minute, as Mexico constantly upped the tempo.

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Following a brief moment of awakening - when a quick Ecuadorian break led into John Yeboah clipping the outside of Raul Rangel’s goal, Mexico conjured the opening goal of the game, and in fantastic fashion.

Asked to build through the press, the aforementioned Alvarado chose to lift a delightful ball over Ecuador’s defense on the left channel, perfectly timing the run of Quiñones, who came across from his half, through to the opposition box, and rifled a fine finish past Galindez.

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The strike, which was wildly celebrated in the stadium, was reward for the hosts, who had one all out in search of the opener.

Nine minutes later, it was two for Mexico, as Jimenez pounced on a loose pass from Ordonez, exchanged passes with Quiñones, before slashing a right-footed finish past the keeper, and into the top corner.

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Ecuador, having come in with a decent defensive record to the World Cup, were now staring at a catastrophic night, but to their credit, grew in confidence in the latter stages of the first half in chase of a goal back.

The closest the men in yellow came was in the 39th minute, when Yeboah tested Rangel with a curled effort, with the visitors finding close to zero luck from their corners.

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Sebastián Beccacece, in a bid to stay alive in the tournament, switched a pair of defenders at the break, and bar the concession of a Jorge Sanchez curler that bounced wide in the 47th minute, will have been pretty impressed by the rection from his boys, who went close through Pedro Vite and Enner Valencia, much to the frustration of the home fans, who responded with boos and whistles.

However, despite dominating possession, Ecuador were far from effective, carving little to no goal-scoring opportunities.

When offered a chance to raid the opposition area, Mexico, like they did in the first half, carried more threat, and should have been three up in the 67th minute, when Cesar Montes saw his header from an Alvarado corner expertly tipped over by Galindez.

Shortly after the hydration break, a first real chance for Ecuador came in the 75th minute, when Kevin Rodriguez almost got behind the Mexican defense, only for his flick to bounce wide.

Their misery would continue for the long haul, as their lack of magic turned into frustration, with Arsenal man Piero Hincapie becoming the latest casualty of the new rule preventing players fom covering their mouths in a confrontation, picking a straight red in the fifth minute of added time.

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Ecuador, with the loss, landed their heaviest defeat since losing to Paraguay in 2022, and with that, an end to their journey at the World Cup.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Sunday

South Africa - Canada 1-0 (0-0)

/Eustaquio 90+2/

Monday

Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)

/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/

Germany - Paraguay 3-4 on penalties (0-1)

/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/

Tuesday

Netherlands - Morocco 2-3 on penalties (1-1)

/Gakpo 72 - Diop 90+1/

Ivory Coast - Norway 1-2 (0-1)

/Diallo 74 - Nusa 39, Haaland 86/

France - Sweden 3-0 (1-0)

/Mbappe 45, 74 Barcola 53/

Wednesday

Mexico - Ecuador 2-0 (2-0)

/Quiñones 22, Jimenez 31/

19.00: (1.30) England (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***