World Cup
FIFA World
Cup 2026
Advertisement
live
Updated
Mexico have booked their place in the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup after beating Ecuador 2-0 at Estadio Azteca.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez got the goals in a dominant first half for the co-hosts, and they were untroubled as they closed out the win in the second half. As the game petered out, Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time for covering his mouth in a situation of confrontation.
The match kicked off an hour later than scheduled after thunderstorms in the area forced FIFA to push back the start time.
Mexico will face England or DR Congo in the last 16 at this stadium on Sunday.
Let’s get stuck into a couple more visualisations from the game, starting here with the states.
The way Mexico backs off from the game with a 2-0 lead heading into the second half means, these should be read as Ecuador trying — and failing — to make something happen as Mexico allowed them the ball and possession.
It is not the case that these figures prove Ecuador deserved more from the game. They didn’t.
Here is Mexico midfielder Erik Lira, speaking on local television after the final whistle.
💬 “We’re a family. It doesn’t matter who plays; we want to show people what Mexico is all about. The ceiling is so high for us. We’re just getting started. Let’s see how far we can go.”
With Austin Green breaking down who has already made it through, let’s have a look at the remaining round of 32 ties coming up over the next three days.
Wednesday:
Thursday
Friday
So that’s eight teams from Europe, six from Africa and two from South America among those fighting to make the last 16 alongside those already through.
Seven out of 16 games in this round of 32 are done. Here is the continental breakdown of the last 16 teams so far.
In the days ahead of this game, there were divided opinions in Mexico over the potential of this team.
A couple of the players came out with spunky public statements: “If you ask me, we should be making the final,” said midfielder Obed Vargas.
But that level of optimism was not quite replicated in the local press: “People are trying to inflate a product that’s only average … We need to keep our feet on the ground,” Rene Tovar, the editor of sports newspaper Record, wrote on social media.
That directive looks irrelevant now. This was the night Mexico took flight, gravity be damned. And beyond all the light and magic of their goals, this was just a very commanding team performance.
The North American teams to make it into the round of 32 are the three co-hosts: Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Canada won its first knockout game at a World Cup on Sunday. Mexico just snapped a 40-year drought without a knockout-stage win.
The pressure on the USMNT to get its first knockout win in 24 years against Bosnia and Herzegovina tomorrow night was already massive. Now it has increased further.
If they were to become the only co-host at this World Cup to bow out before the last 16, it would be an abject disaster.
Raul Jimenez missed a big chance early on, but more than made amends for it with a stunning finish for Mexico’s second goal.
That came after Julian Quinones had sent a rocket into the back of the net eight minutes earlier.
Two goals for the Mexicans from an xG of 1.01 — they now have eight goals at this World Cup from 4.74 xG.
And they are the only side, alongside Spain, yet to concede.
There’s a reason we all circled a potential round of 16 clash between Mexico and England at Estadio Azteca practically as soon as the World Cup draw happened.
Tonight showed why.
Mexico believe they can beat anyone at their famed national stadium, and given they have not lost there in a competitive match in 13 years — and have never lost there at a World Cup — who can blame them?
England must still get past DR Congo, but if they do, they’re in for a massive challenge.
Here is what you guys made of Mexico’s big victory over Ecuador at an electric Estadio Azteca:
💬 Richard C: “Really it was a tough game. Ecuador had some shots on target, but they lacked sufficient coordination and intensity. You could see Mexico’s players taking chances that not many *would* take, because of a trust in unpredictability. And unpredictability, well, it won the match for Mexico. That and a strong defense throughout the second half.”
💬 Lenxo D: “I can’t remember the last time I saw Mexico play this confident and attacking minded. This team plays so well together.”
💬 Brennan L: “What a fantastic game by Mexico. They are gonna be tough for England to beat at Azteca.”
💬 Anonymous: “Zero goals conceded in four matches. Holy crap that’s good.“
💬 Rafael T: “Look at the atmosphere tonight, it’s a disgrace this final isn’t at the Azteca. One of the great football grounds.”
💬 Robert J: “Mexico had some pace to start, but overall that effort won’t be good enough against the English.”
More here from Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre — who was asked if this was Mexico’s best game in World Cup history:
💬 “It’s hard to say because there have been great performances. Was it a complete performance? Perhaps. Our attacking transitions need to improve. Tonight we were deserved winners.”
Aguirre was then asked about whether he would like DR Congo or England in the round of 16:
💬 “I can’t choose the opponent. If it’s England, well, we’ll be watching to see what happens.”
The only thing missing from tonight: “A glass of whiskey.”
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre is speaking — first up addressing Mexico winning a first knockout game since 1986:
💬 “The relationship we have the with people of Mexico has given us a major boost. It was a demanding game but it turned into a beautiful night for the Mexican people.
“It’s a group of players who deserve what they’re experiencing. We’re among the best 16 teams in the world. We’re highly motivated. We’re a family. That’s the truth. We played good football tonight.
“There’s no tomorrow for the losers. But again, the people in the stands deserved a night like this. My third grandchild was born last night and he brought this luck.”
Missed tonight’s match and want to know all about how Mexico booked their place in the last 16?
Want to know all about the magic of Julian Quinones’ goal?
Look no further than the latest edition of The Briefing, where our writers have broken down all the key talking points — and we will bring you some of the big observations in here too. Don’t go anywhere.
GO FURTHER
Mexico defeat Ecuador for first World Cup knockout win since 1986, how far can Azteca magic take them?
A World Cup legend finally gets to see his team win a World Cup knockout match!
Guillermo Ochoa will be one happy man.
Fun that Mexico also won their tournament opener against South Africa at Estadio Azteca 2-0, also with the same goalscorers — Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez — and also with them scoring in that order.
And a visiting player was shown a red card in each match! Although two in the case of South Africa.
The dead rubber against Czech Republic was also here but had a second-string XI so we can’t count that.
But the last-16 tie will be here too.
They were many people’s dark horses coming into this tournament but Ecuador went out without leaving much of a mark on this round of 32 game.
Aside from a bit of a fight — literally — in the final moments of the match, they did not give their best account of themselves.
The debrief has already begun for Ecuador.
For a side with such clear defensive strengths entering this World Cup, the actual tournament has been nothing like as expected.
It will be interesting to see which direction they go from here.
We now have a decent chunk of the last 16 bracket in place — here’s how things look after today’s round-of-32 matches.
So, the celebrations are in full flow for Mexico!
They are through to the last 16 — and it remains the case they have still only won World Cup knockout matches in Mexico City!
A good-luck charm. And possibly a serious long-term limitation.
Gilberto Mora was superb for Mexico this evening, until he was withdrawn just before the hour mark.
He did a bit of everything inside the co-hosts’ engine room, and I’m not sure it was a coincidence his side lost control of the game after he left the pitch.
Team Stats
MEX
ECU
Game Details
Leave a Reply