Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory on Tuesday, beating Ecuador 2-0 in front of a passionate home crowd at the iconic Azteca Stadium to book their place in the round of 16.
First-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez sealed the win, giving Mexico their first World Cup knockout-stage victory since they defeated Bulgaria on home soil in 1986.
The co-hosts will now face either England or DR Congo in the next round, with the match set to be the final World Cup fixture played at the Azteca Stadium.
Kick-off was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms, but that did nothing to dampen the mood inside the stadium. More than 80,000 fans filled the Azteca, creating an incredible atmosphere long before the match began.
Mexico nearly took the lead early on when Raul Jimenez headed just wide from a Luis Romo cross.
Teenager Gilberto Mora also came close with a brilliant effort from a tight angle that narrowly missed the far post.
Ecuador gradually settled into the game and almost shocked the home fans through Gonzalo Plata’s quick counterattack, which ended with John Yeboah hitting the outside of the post.
Mexico finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Roberto Alvarado played a perfectly timed pass to Julian Quinones, who shrugged off his defender before smashing the ball into the top corner for his third goal of the tournament.
The hosts doubled their lead just nine minutes later after Ecuador lost possession near their own penalty area. Jimenez started the move, combined with Quinones and fired a first-time shot into the top corner to score his 47th international goal. He now sits just five goals behind Javier Hernandez as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer.
With a two-goal lead, Mexico played with confidence and controlled the game, while Ecuador struggled to deal with the constant pressure.
Before half-time, Ecuador nearly pulled one back when John Yeboah’s powerful shot forced goalkeeper Raul Rangel into an excellent diving save, but Mexico still went into the break comfortably in control.
Ecuador enjoyed more possession in the second half but failed to seriously test Rangel.
Mexico remained dangerous from set pieces, with Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez making a fine save to deny captain Cesar Montes before the defender headed another chance just wide.
Mexico later substituted goalscorers Quinones and Jimenez, along with 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who received a standing ovation after becoming the youngest player to start a World Cup match since Pele.
Ecuador pushed forward in the closing minutes but could not break down Mexico’s disciplined defence, which is yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Their frustration showed late on when defender Piero Hincapie was sent off after arguing with Santiago Gimenez.
At the final whistle, Mexico’s players celebrated with their fans as the famous mariachi song “El Rey” echoed around the Azteca Stadium.
