Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 at a packed Estadio Azteca on Tuesday to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, marking their first World Cup knockout-stage victory since 1986.
Kick-off was delayed by around an hour due to lightning, but the interruption did little to dampen the atmosphere as the hosts dominated from the outset.
Julián Quiñones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute before Raúl Jiménez doubled Mexico’s advantage nine minutes later, giving El Tri a commanding lead before halftime.
The victory was Mexico’s first win in the World Cup knockout rounds since defeating Bulgaria 2-0 at the same venue during the 1986 tournament.
Under the expanded 48-team tournament format, Mexico will next face either England or the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Mexico have now lost just two of 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, winning 70, and remain unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches played in Mexico City.