Mexico Ends 40-Year World Cup Knockout Drought with 2-0 Win Over Ecuador

Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 at the Estadio Azteca, ending a 40-year World Cup knockout-stage drought. The match, delayed an hour by a thunderstorm, saw Julián Quiñones score in the 22nd minute and Raúl Jiménez add a second in the 31st.

Mexico End 40-Year FIFA World Cup Knockout Curse With Dominant Win Over EcuadorMexico Defeats Ecuador 2-0 at Azteca Stadium to Break 40-Year World Cup Knockout CurseJapan TodayMexico end a 40-year knockout wait by beating Ecuador to reach the last 16Mexico ends 40 year drought, defeats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the Round of 16WILX 10ESPN

Mexico’s last knockout win also occurred at the Azteca in 1986, a 2-0 victory over Bulgaria. From 1994 to 2018 the team lost eight straight round-of-16 matches, a pattern known as the “quinto partido” curse, and exited at the group stage in 2022.

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Julián Quiñones, a Saudi Pro League forward, recorded his third tournament goal, moving to joint-second-highest World Cup scorer for Mexico. Raúl Jiménez, with his second goal, reached 47 international goals, surpassing Jared Borgetti on the national list. Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora started, becoming the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match after Pelé. Mexico completed 14 shots (three on target) while Ecuador managed five attempts (one on target) and held 55.7 % possession. The win extended Mexico’s unbeaten World Cup record at the Azteca to ten matches and its overall unbeaten run there to 12 games. It also marked the first CONCACAF elimination of a CONMEBOL side in a World Cup knockout. Defender Piero Hincapié was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for covering his mouth, a violation under a new FIFA rule.

Mexico ends 40-year knockout curse with 2-0 win over EcuadorJapan TodayMexico End 40-Year FIFA World Cup Knockout Curse With Dominant Win Over EcuadorESPNMexico Shatters 40-Year Knockout Curse With 2-0 Victory Over EcuadorWILX 10Mexico Shatters 40-Year Knockout Curse with 2-0 World Cup Victory Over Ecuador

Coach Javier Aguirre said the victory ended his personal knockout-stage failures and described the fan connection as “like a family.” He pledged the squad remain on high alert for the next match. Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece acknowledged Mexico’s superiority despite halftime changes.

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Thousands gathered on Reforma Avenue. “This is so exciting. We did it! We did it!” shouted 20-year-old Denisse Ildefonso, while 22-year-old Erick Rubio said, “I feel so proud to be Mexican.”

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Attendance is cited as either 80,824 or 114,000. Some sources list ten unbeaten World Cup matches at the Azteca; others count 12 including friendlies.

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Mexico will face the winner of England versus the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, again at the Azteca.

Mexico end a 40-year knockout wait by beating Ecuador to reach the last 16

• “It means a lot to me because I am one of those who could not progress in the knockout stage,” — Javier Aguirre, Mexico head coach

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• “We are in the Round of 16 and there is a great connection with the fans. We are like a family. It is spectacular.” — Javier Aguirre, Mexico head coach

Mexico ends 40-year knockout curse with 2-0 win over Ecuador

• “I am just happy with the result, that is all that matters now,” — Julián Quiñones, Mexico forward

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• “We did it! We did it!” — Denisse Ildefonso, Mexico City resident

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