Mexico beats Ecuador to reach World Cup round of 16
First-half goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez gave Mexico a 2-0 win and ended a long run of knockout-stage exits.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Mexico advanced to the World Cup round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday night in Mexico City, ending decades of frustration in knockout play. The Associated Press reported that Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored nine minutes apart in the first half to send El Tri through.
Quiñones put Mexico ahead in the 22nd minute, and Jiménez made it 2-0 in the 31st at Azteca Stadium, according to AP. The win was Mexico’s first in a World Cup knockout match since 1986, when it beat Bulgaria in the round of 16 as tournament host.
Mexico had gone out at the same stage in seven straight World Cups from 1994 through 2018, AP reported. In 2022, the team failed to get out of the group stage.
Coach Javier Aguirre was a starting midfielder on Mexico’s 1986 team, AP reported. He later served as an assistant in 1994 and coached Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 tournaments before returning to the job in August 2024.
“It means a lot to me because I am one of those who could not progress in the knockout stage,” Aguirre said, according to AP. “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.”
The 2026 World Cup includes 48 teams, which added a round of 32 between the group stage and the round of 16, AP reported. Mexico will play again Sunday at home against the winner of Wednesday’s England-Congo match.
Quiñones and Jiménez climb scoring lists
Quiñones’ goal was his third of the tournament, AP reported. That total puts him behind only Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández among Mexico’s World Cup scorers; both Hernándezes scored four.
AP reported that Quiñones, 29, led the Saudi Pro League in scoring last season and is playing in his first World Cup for Mexico. He moved to Mexico from Colombia at age 17 and became a naturalized citizen in 2023.
“I am just happy with the result, that is all that matters now,” Quiñones said, according to AP. He also said, “Life is about struggle and fight until you get what you want, and I am taking full advantage of the opportunity that I got.”
Jiménez scored his second goal of the tournament and his 47th for Mexico, AP reported. That moved him past Jared Borgetti and left him five goals short of tying “Chicharito” Hernández for Mexico’s national team scoring record.
Weather delay and celebrations
The match began one hour late because of a thunderstorm, AP reported. It was the second weather delay of the tournament, after a storm stopped France-Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22 for 2 hours, 11 minutes at halftime.
Mexico remains unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at Azteca Stadium, according to AP. The team extended its overall unbeaten streak to 12 matches, dating to a friendly loss to Paraguay in November.
AP reported that Mexico also became the first CONCACAF team to knock out a CONMEBOL side in a World Cup elimination match. South American teams had won the previous five such meetings.
After the final whistle, thousands of fans celebrated along Reforma avenue and in neighborhoods, bars and parking lots around the city, AP reported. “This is so exciting,” Denisse Ildefonso, a 20-year-old cook, told AP while celebrating. Erick Rubio, a 22-year-old college student, told AP, “I feel so proud to be Mexican.”
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.