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.
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.
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“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 or Congo DR 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.
ESPN
