[7/1/2026 9:00 PM] Ly Khanz: Mexico oust Ecuador for 1st World Cup knockout win in 40 years
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Jul 1, 2026, 12:00 AM ET
Mexico won their first World Cup knockout stage match in 40 years after dispatching Ecuador  2-0 in front an electric crowd at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Tuesday.
A one-hour delay to kickoff due to lightning around the stadium did nothing to dampen the atmosphere inside. Fueled by the roars of the home crowd, Mexico came out dominating their South American opponents. They scored twice in nine first-half minutes, courtesy of standout strikes from Julián Quiñones  and Raúl Jiménez .
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It was the same scoreline and in the same venue as the only previous occasion that Mexico made it through a knockout round, when they beat Bulgaria in 1986, the last time the country was a host for the quadrennial event.
“It had been about 40 years since the last time I saw the Azteca like this,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.
“We’ve had great victories, but none like this one, because we were at home with our fans doing as they do, they left their hearts out there.”
The first expanded 48-team World Cup means Mexico have not yet realized their long and frustrating pursuit to make it back to the quarterfinals but, after seven consecutive defeats at the first knockout hurdle, Tuesday’s victory will taste plenty sweet.
“This win means a lot to me. I was one of those players who couldn’t make it to the fifth game [quarterfinals]. It hurts a lot,” Aguirre added. “You get past the group stage and perform well, but then there’s a critical error that takes you out. Today, the connection with the fans gave us a boost. This is a spectacular stadium. It’s a great night for Mexicans.”
The co-hosts will now look to complete their last-eight quest when they take on either England (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=448) or Congo DR (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=2850) back at Azteca on Sunday.
It would be brave to bet against them. Mexico have now lost just twice in 89 competitive games at Azteca, winning 70 of them, and they are unbeaten in 10 World Cup games played in Mexico City.
Their run to the last 16 this time has been dominant. A shutout Tuesday made Aguirre’s side just the fourth team in World Cup history to win its first four games without conceding a goal.
Raúl Jiménez celebrates scoring Mexico’s second goal against Ecuador with teammate Julián Quiñones. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP via Getty Images
It was Quiñones’ third goal of the tournament, and he is now El Tri’s second-best scorer in World Cup history behind Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who scored four each.
Jiménez scored his second goal of the tournament and has 47 with the national team to break a tie with Jared Borgetti. He is five away from tying Javier Hernández as the all-time leading scorer for Mexico.
“The first half is very close to the perfect performance we are aiming for. In the second half, we knew how to defend and adjust to the pressure they applied after making significant changes,” Aguirre said.
Mexico became the first Concacaf side to eliminate a CONMEBOL team in a World Cup knockout match. Teams from South America won the previous five meetings.
For Ecuador, it was a disappointing end to a tournament that promised much after a shock win over Germany (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=481) in their final group game.
They exited with a whimper and with 10 men after a red card to defender Piero Hincapié  in second-half stoppage time as a result of a new rule punishing players for covering their mouth when talking to opponents.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[7/1/2026 9:04 PM] Ly Khanz: Here is the article translated into English, followed by an image depicting the historic victory.
New History at the Top: Mexico Ousts Ecuador to Advance in World Cup for First Time in 40 Years
The Mexican national football team etched a magnificent chapter in their history on Tuesday, defeating Ecuador 2-0 in the World Cup knockout stage. This victory marks their first progression beyond the first knockout round in four decades, achieved before an electric, passionate home crowd at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Despite a one-hour delay to kickoff due to lightning strikes around the stadium, the spirits of the home supporters remained undampened. Fueled by the deafening roars of the home crowd, Mexico opened the match dominating their South American opponents. They found the net twice in just nine first-half minutes, courtesy of standout strikes from stars Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
Echoes of 1986
The 2-0 scoreline at the very same venue mirrored Mexico’s iconic 1986 victory over Bulgaria—the last time the country hosted the global showpiece.
“It had been about 40 years since I last saw the Azteca like this,” said an emotional Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s head coach. “We have had great victories, but none like this one, because we were at home with our fans doing what they do; they left their hearts out there.”
Due to the new 48-team tournament format, this win does not yet place Mexico in the quarterfinals (the long-sought ‘fifth game’). However, after seven consecutive heartbreaking exits at this stage, Tuesday’s triumph tasted incredibly sweet.
“This win means a lot to me,” Aguirre added. “I was one of those players who couldn’t make it to the fifth game. It hurts a lot. You get past the group stage and perform well, but then there’s a critical error that takes you out. Today, the connection with the fans gave us a boost. This is a spectacular stadium. It’s a great night for Mexicans.”
New Records and the Road Ahead
The co-hosts now continue their quest for the final eight, awaiting the winner of the match between England and Congo DR. That crucial matchup will also take place back at the Azteca on Sunday.
Betting against Mexico on home soil seems a risky proposition. Statistically, Mexico has lost just twice in 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, winning 70 of them. Furthermore, they remain unbeaten in 10 World Cup games played in Mexico City.
Their run to the last 16 has been historically dominant. By keeping a clean sheet on Tuesday, Aguirre’s side became only the fourth team in World Cup history to win its first four games without conceding a single goal.
Julián Quiñones: Scored his third goal of the tournament, moving into second place on Mexico’s all-time World Cup scoring list, trailing only Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (four goals each).
Raúl Jiménez: Netted his second goal of the competition. This was his 47th international goal, breaking a tie with Jared Borgetti. He is now just five goals away from tying Javier Hernández as Mexico’s all-time leading goal scorer.
“The first half is very close to the perfect performance we are aiming for,” Aguirre analyzed. “In the second half, we knew how to defend and adjust to the pressure they applied after making significant tactical changes.”
Disappointment for Ecuador
With this result, Mexico made history by becoming the first Concacaf side to eliminate a CONMEBOL (South American) team in a World Cup knockout match, breaking a five-match losing streak for the region.
For Ecuador, the tournament ended in disappointment, failing to build on their shocking group-stage win over Germany. They exited quietly and finished the match with only 10 men. Defender Piero Hincapié received a red card in second-half stoppage time for violating a new rule that punishes players for covering their mouths while talking to opponents on the pitch.
Image Description:
The following image captures the atmosphere described in the article: the raw emotion, the specific stadium, and the lightning storm that delayed kickoff.
[7/1/2026 9:06 PM] Ly Khanz: Here is the article translated into English, followed by an image depicting the historic victory.
New History at the Top: Mexico Ousts Ecuador to Advance in World Cup for First Time in 40 Years
The Mexican national football team etched a magnificent chapter in their history on Tuesday, defeating Ecuador 2-0 in the World Cup knockout stage. This victory marks their first progression beyond the first knockout round in four decades, achieved before an electric, passionate home crowd at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Despite a one-hour delay to kickoff due to lightning strikes around the stadium, the spirits of the home supporters remained undampened. Fueled by the deafening roars of the home crowd, Mexico opened the match dominating their South American opponents. They found the net twice in just nine first-half minutes, courtesy of standout strikes from stars Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
Echoes of 1986
The 2-0 scoreline at the very same venue mirrored Mexico’s iconic 1986 victory over Bulgaria—the last time the country hosted the global showpiece.
“It had been about 40 years since I last saw the Azteca like this,” said an emotional Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s head coach. “We have had great victories, but none like this one, because we were at home with our fans doing what they do; they left their hearts out there.”
Due to the new 48-team tournament format, this win does not yet place Mexico in the quarterfinals (the long-sought ‘fifth game’). However, after seven consecutive heartbreaking exits at this stage, Tuesday’s triumph tasted incredibly sweet.
“This win means a lot to me,” Aguirre added. “I was one of those players who couldn’t make it to the fifth game. It hurts a lot. You get past the group stage and perform well, but then there’s a critical error that takes you out. Today, the connection with the fans gave us a boost. This is a spectacular stadium. It’s a great night for Mexicans.”
New Records and the Road Ahead
The co-hosts now continue their quest for the final eight, awaiting the winner of the match between England and Congo DR. That crucial matchup will also take place back at the Azteca on Sunday.
Betting against Mexico on home soil seems a risky proposition. Statistically, Mexico has lost just twice in 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, winning 70 of them. Furthermore, they remain unbeaten in 10 World Cup games played in Mexico City.
Their run to the last 16 has been historically dominant. By keeping a clean sheet on Tuesday, Aguirre’s side became only the fourth team in World Cup history to win its first four games without conceding a single goal.
Julián Quiñones: Scored his third goal of the tournament, moving into second place on Mexico’s all-time World Cup scoring list, trailing only Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (four goals each).
Raúl Jiménez: Netted his second goal of the competition. This was his 47th international goal, breaking a tie with Jared Borgetti. He is now just five goals away from tying Javier Hernández as Mexico’s all-time leading goal scorer.
“The first half is very close to the perfect performance we are aiming for,” Aguirre analyzed. “In the second half, we knew how to defend and adjust to the pressure they applied after making significant tactical changes.”
Disappointment for Ecuador
With this result, Mexico made history by becoming the first Concacaf side to eliminate a CONMEBOL (South American) team in a World Cup knockout match, breaking a five-match losing streak for the region.
For Ecuador, the tournament ended in disappointment, failing to build on their shocking group-stage win over Germany. They exited quietly and finished the match with only 10 men. Defender Piero Hincapié received a red card in second-half stoppage time for violating a new rule that punishes players for covering their mouths while talking to opponents on the pitch.
Image Description:
The following image captures the atmosphere described in the article: the raw emotion, the specific stadium, and the lightning storm that delayed kickoff.