Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second aim in the course of the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico Metropolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Silvia Izquierdo/AP
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Silvia Izquierdo/AP
MEXICO CITY — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had discovered to dwell with defeats within the knockout levels of the World Cup. On seven events, El Tri followers had been left heartbroken at this stage.
Not anymore.
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored inside a nine-minute span within the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night time to interrupt a four-decade drought within the knockout stage and progress to the spherical of 16.
Quiñones opened the scoring within the twenty second minute and Jiménez added a aim within the thirty first for the Mexicans, who had not received a knockout-stage match since defeating Bulgaria within the spherical of 16 once they hosted the event in 1986. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was one of many beginning midfielders in that ’86 group.
“It means a lot to me because I am one of those who could not progress in the knockout stage,” Aguirre stated. “We are in the round of 16 and it is happening a great connection with the fans. We are like a family. It is spectacular.”
Mexico misplaced seven consecutive occasions at that very same stage from 1994 to 2018 and did not advance previous the group stage in 2022.
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with Julian Quinones (16) after scoring their second aim in the course of the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico Metropolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Silvia Izquierdo/AP
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Silvia Izquierdo/AP
Aguirre, who returned as Mexico’s head coach in August of 2024, was an assistant in 1994 and was the coach in 2002 and 2010.
“We will be on high alert from here until Sunday. We will try to have the players recover from this and we will see if we are able to win again,” Aguirre stated.
Within the expanded, 48-team World Cup, there’s an additional spherical within the knockout section — the spherical of 32 was inserted for this event between the group stage and the spherical of 16.
Quiñones objectives
A 3rd aim within the event makes Quiñones El Tri’s second-highest scorer in World Cup historical past behind Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who scored 4 every.
Quiñones, who was the scoring chief within the Saudi Professional League final season, has grow to be the spark within the assault that Mexico lacked in earlier World Cups.
“I am just happy with the result, that is all that matters now,” stated Quiñones, who’s enjoying in his first World Cup with Mexico.
The 29-year-old ahead arrived within the nation from Colombia at age 17 and have become a naturalized citizen in 2023.
“Life is about struggle and fight until you get what you want,” he stated, “and I am taking full advantage of the opportunity that I got.”
Jiménez scored his second aim of the event and has 47 with the nationwide group to interrupt a tie with Jared Borgetti. He’s 5 away from tying “Chicharito” Hernández because the all-time main scorer for Mexico.
Mexico will play one other residence match Sunday in opposition to the winner of Wednesday’s match between England and Congo.
Enjoying on the iconic Azteca Stadium, the Mexican squad boasts an undefeated file throughout 10 World Cup matches. Mexico has simply two official losses on the venue — the final being a World Cup qualifying defeat to Honduras on Sept. 6, 2013.
With the win, Mexico prolonged its unbeaten run to 12 video games, courting again to a pleasant loss in opposition to Paraguay in November.
Mexico additionally grew to become the primary CONCACAF aspect to eradicate a group from CONMEBOL in a World Cup knockout match. Groups from South America received the earlier 5 conferences.
The match began one hour after the unique scheduled time resulting from a thunderstorm.
It was the second match of the event delayed by climate. A storm in the course of the France-Iraq match at Philadelphia on June 22 precipitated a 2-hour, 11-minute suspension on the finish of the primary half.
Followers throw a giant fiesta
After the ultimate whistle, celebrations erupted alongside the Reforma avenue, the place hundreds of Mexicans gathered for the festivities.
“This is so exciting,” Denisse Ildefonso, a 20-year-old prepare dinner and avid soccer fan, stated as she jumped up and down shouting “We did it! We did it!” amid the inexperienced, white, and crimson lights.
Households and teams of buddies erupted in cheers, whereas some followers tossed others into the air amidst the roar of the gang.
“I feel so proud to be Mexican,” shouted Erick Rubio, a 22-year-old faculty pupil.
The scene performed out throughout dozens of neighborhoods, bars, and parking heaps reworked into soccer fan zones to honor an undefeated nationwide group.
