Mexico beats Ecuador at home!
Mexico will next face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo!
Mexico City, Jun 30 (EFE).-
Goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez lifted Mexico to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, sending El Tri into the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mexico advances after an early exit at Qatar 2022 and will next face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Quiñones and Jiménez scored for Mexico, which controlled the match even as Ecuador produced brief spells of pressure but again struggled with finishing in the box.
Backed by more than 80,000 fans, Mexico dominated the opening 10 minutes and created three dangerous chances, including a Jiménez header that nearly opened the scoring.
Ecuador settled and gradually broke Mexico’s four-man defensive line. In the 17th minute, John Yeboah struck a left-footed shot that rattled the crossbar.
Mexico broke through in the 22nd minute. Quiñones took a pass from Roberto Alvarado, surged unmarked down the right flank, paused and fired a right-footed shot into the top corner for a 1-0 lead.
Ecuador reorganized, but Mexico struck again in the 31st. Jiménez played a quick give-and-go with Quiñones, who slipped a pass back for the West Ham striker to curl a shot into the upper corner for 2-0.
Mexico supporters again chanted a homophobic slur that has drawn repeated sanctions in the past, a chant FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously condemned.
After halftime, Mexico dropped deeper in search of a counterattack as Ecuador pushed forward without precision.
Mexico threatened once on the right through Brian Gutiérrez, who replaced Gilberto Mora. Mora, 17 years and 259 days old, became the second-youngest player to start a World Cup match—20 days older than Pelé when he faced Wales at Sweden 1958.
Ecuador nearly pulled one back in the 74th minute when Kevin Rodríguez beat César Montes to the ball with goalkeeper Raúl Rangel beaten, but his shot drifted wide.
Ecuador’s night worsened in stoppage time when Piero Hincapié was sent off in the fifth minute of added time after appearing to direct an insult at an opponent.
Mexico will play the winner of England vs. DR Congo on July 5 in the round of 16.
Lineups Mexico (2): Raúl Rangel; Jesús Gallardo, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Jorge Sánchez; Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora (Brian Gutiérrez, 59th), Luis Romo (Obed Vargas, 73rd); Roberto Alvarado (Israel Reyes, 80th), Raúl Jiménez (Santiago Giménez, 73rd); Julián Quiñones (Orbelín Pineda, 80th).
Coach: Javier Aguirre.
Ecuador (0): Hernán Galíndez; Piero Hincapié, Joel Ordóñez (Ángel Preciado, 46th), Willian Pacho; Pedro Vite, Alan Franco (Yaimar Medina, 46th), Moisés Caicedo; John Yeboah (Jordy Caicedo, 79th), Enner Valencia (Kevin Rodríguez, 59th), Gonzalo Plata, Nilson Angulo (Kendry Páez, 79th).
Coach: Sebastián Beccacece.
Goals: Quiñones, 22nd; Jiménez, 31st.
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia). Sent off Hincapié (90th+5). Booked Alan Franco, Kendry Páez and Moisés Caicedo.
Attendance: 80,824 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. EFE gb/lds
