Mexico 2-0 Ecuador Mexico produced a polished display in front of their home fans to defeat Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday, ending a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory and booking their place in the last 16. Goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez secured a deserved victory at the iconic Estadio Azteca after the round-of-32 clash, which was delayed by an hour because of stormy weather. The win was Mexico's first in the knockout rounds of the World Cup since they reached the quarter-finals as tournament hosts in 1986. It also extended their unbeaten run at the Azteca to 10 World Cup matches. Mexico will now face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals. Raúl Jiménez squandered an early headed opportunity before 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, making history as the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match after Brazil legend Pelé in 1958, curled narrowly wide. Ecuador briefly threatened through John Yeboah, who burst into the penalty area before clipping the outside of the post, but it proved to be one of the visitors' few meaningful attacks of the opening half. Mexico's dominance was rewarded in the 22nd minute when Roberto Alvarado released Quiñones down the left, and the Saudi Arabia-based forward drove into the penalty area before unleashing a thunderous strike that flew beyond Hernán Galíndez and sent the Azteca crowd into raptures. The hosts continued to dictate the tempo after the cooling break and doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark. Quiñones turned provider this time, slipping a pass into the path of Jiménez, who rifled an unstoppable finish into the top corner to leave Galíndez with no chance. Rather than chasing a third goal recklessly, the hosts managed the game intelligently while still creating the better opportunities. Defender César Montes twice went close from set pieces, while Ecuador struggled to trouble the Mexican back line. The visitors' frustrating evening ended on a sour note in stoppage time when defender Piero Hincapié was sent off following an altercation with a Mexican player. Mexico's victory continues what has been an impressive tournament. They were one of only three teams alongside France and defending champions Argentina to win all three group-stage matches. The co-hosts will now look to use the momentum generated at the Azteca as they chase a place in the quarter-finals, although from that stage onward every remaining match of the tournament will be played in the United States.
