Mexico oust Ecuador for 1st World Cup knockout win in 40 years
Mexico City — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage. Not anymore[reference:0].
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half, and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2–0 on Tuesday night to break a four-decade drought in the knockout stage and progress to the round of 16[reference:1].
First-half blitz breaks the drought
The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather, but when it finally got under way, the co-hosts flew out of the blocks[reference:2]. Mexico took the lead in the 22nd minute when Julián Quiñones received the ball from Roberto Alvarado, tore down the left, cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez[reference:3].
Just nine minutes later, Quiñones turned provider. After capitalising on a scuffed clearance, he exchanged passes with Raúl Jiménez, who fired a rocket into the top corner to make it 2–0[reference:4][reference:5].
— Javier Aguirre, Mexico head coach [reference:6]
History rewritten at the Azteca
Mexico had not won a knockout-stage match since defeating Bulgaria in the round of 16 when they hosted the tournament in 1986[reference:7]. Coach Javier Aguirre was one of the starting midfielders in that team in ’86[reference:8]. The victory means Mexico are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca and will fancy their chances against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16[reference:9].
For Quiñones, it was a third goal in the tournament — he is now El Tri’s second-highest scorer in World Cup history behind Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández[reference:10]. The 29-year-old forward arrived in Mexico from Colombia at age 17 and became a naturalized citizen in 2023[reference:11].
‘Life is about struggle’
Quiñones, who is playing in his first World Cup with Mexico, reflected on the historic night: “I am just happy with the result. That is all that matters now. Life is about struggle and fight until you get what you want, and I am taking full advantage of the opportunity that I got”[reference:12].
Jiménez scored his second goal of the tournament and now has 47 with the national team, breaking a tie with Jared Borgetti. He is five away from tying “Chicharito” Hernández as the all-time leading scorer for Mexico[reference:13].
What’s next for El Tri?
Mexico will play another home match on Sunday against the winner of the England vs. Democratic Republic of Congo clash[reference:14]. With a fourth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament and an unbeaten run that now stretches to 12 games, Javier Aguirre’s side is brimming with confidence[reference:15][reference:16].
✅ Mexico 2 – 0 Ecuador — Round of 32, FIFA World Cup 2026™
Goals: Julián Quiñones (22’), Raúl Jiménez (31’)
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: Sold out
Red card: Piero Hincapié (ECU, 90+5’)[reference:17]
Mexico’s victory marks the first time a CONCACAF side has eliminated a South American opponent in the World Cup knockout rounds since 2002[reference:18]. The curse of the “Quinto Partido” — seven straight knockout losses — is finally over[reference:19].
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