Mexico vs Ecuador

After a stormy one-hour delay forced by fierce weather over Mexico City, Mexico made an emphatic statement at Estadio Azteca, dispatching Ecuador 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a commanding first-half display that left little room for doubt. Julián Quiñones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, cutting in from the left after a pass from Roberto Alvarado and firing into the corner. Raúl Jiménez, who had squandered a close-range header as early as the 7th minute, made amends in the 30th with a rocket into the top corner. Ecuador's Piero Hincapié was then shown a red card in stoppage time for covering his mouth during a confrontation, capping a miserable afternoon. Ecuador are eliminated, having struggled to score throughout the tournament. For Mexico, the result ends a painful 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win — their last came on home soil in 1986 — and El Tri, unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the Azteca, now march into the Round of 16.