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.