Mexico booked their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ecuador in a weather-delayed encounter at the Azteca Stadium.
First-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez handed the co-hosts a deserved lead as they dominated proceedings before producing a composed display after the break to seal victory.
The result sends Javier Aguirre’s side into the knockout stage, where they will face either England or DR Congo on Sunday evening (01:00 BST on Monday). Mexico will once again enjoy home support in Mexico City.
Kick-off was delayed by an hour due to a thunderstorm in the Mexican capital, but once play began, the hosts wasted little time asserting themselves.
Mexico created four clear chances within the opening 10 minutes. Although Ecuador’s John Yeboah struck the woodwork, the South Americans struggled to cope with Mexico’s relentless pressing and attacking intensity.
The hosts were eventually rewarded when Colombia-born winger Julian Quinones broke down the left flank, cut inside, and fired an unstoppable shot beyond goalkeeper Hernan Galindez into the roof of the net.
Quinones, who scored his third goal of the tournament, then turned provider. Capitalising on a costly mistake by Ecuador defender Joel Ordonez near the edge of the penalty area, the winger set up Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who clinically found the top corner to double Mexico’s lead.
Ecuador improved after the restart, with Gonzalo Plata coming closest to pulling one back, but his flicked effort drifted narrowly wide.
The match ended on a disappointing note for Ecuador as defender Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. He became the second player at this tournament, after Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron, to receive a red card for the offence.
