Mexico march on over Ecuador at Azteca

Mexico turned the Estadio Azteca into a fortress once more, defeating Ecuador 2-0 to extend their unbeaten home run at this World Cup to ten matches and secure their first knockout win since 1986. An hour-long storm delay only heightened the anticipation, and the home crowd responded with relentless noise as Mexico dominated the opening half.

Gilberto Mora twice threatened and Raúl Jiménez headed wide before John Yeboah struck the post in a rare Ecuador chance. The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when Julián Quiñones burst down the left, cut inside and fired a fierce finish for his third goal of the tournament. Jiménez doubled the lead soon after, winning the ball high, combining with Quiñones and slicing his shot beyond Hernán Galíndez.

Ecuador’s changes brought little improvement, and their night worsened with Piero Hincapié’s late red card. Mexico celebrated a fourth straight clean sheet and now await England or DR Congo.