Mexico turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, brushing Ecuador aside 2-0 to break a 40-year World Cup knockout curse. The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather. When it started, however, the co-hosts flew out of the blocks and mounted wave after wave of attacks.
Mexico took the lead in the 22nd minute. Julian Quinones received the ball from Roberto Alvarado and tore down the left flank.
He then drove into the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. The Saudi-based forward’s thunderous strike raised the roof of the packed stadium.
The first hydration break failed to change the script. Mexico doubled their lead after half an hour when Quinones turned provider. He fed Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who fired into the top corner. The goal pushed Jimenez’s international tally to 47, placing him second on Mexico’s all-time scoring list behind Javier Hernandez.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament. The victory extended their unbeaten run at the Azteca to 10 World Cup matches.
Furthermore, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora started the match, becoming the second-youngest player to start a knockout fixture at the World Cup finals, behind only Pele in 1958.
Ecuador struggled to gain a foothold after the break. Coach Sebastian Beccacece made several changes in an effort to find a way back into the match. However, Mexico remained the more threatening team. Piero Hincapie received a red card in stoppage time after covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opponent.
Mexico will face the winner between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16 on Sunday. The match will again take place at the Azteca Stadium.
