Packed by a packed Azteca Stadium, Mexico had no difficulty in qualifying for the round of 16 of the World Cup by defeating Ecuador 2-0, this Tuesday (30).
The team made the strength of the fans prevail during the match and won a convincing victory over the Ecuadorians. Ecuador, in turn, says goodbye to the World Cup after an irregular campaign.
With the victory, Mexico remains one of the teams with victories in all North American World Cup games so far. There were four. Furthermore, they continue to be among those who have not conceded goals.
The Mexicans are waiting for the clash between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo to find out their opponent for the round of 16. The English and Congolese take the field this Wednesday (1st), at 1pm.
This Tuesday’s match was delayed by an hour due to the storm protocol activated in Mexico City, the venue for the clash.
It was the second time that the rule was applied in this World Cup. Previously, the duel between France and Iraq, in the group stage, was suspended for two hours.
During the initial stage, Mexico was superior, with greater volume of play and more objectivity. The team started putting pressure on Ecuador, with the main moves coming from the right side of the Mexican attack.
It was in this sector that, right at the beginning of the match, Romo crossed for Raúl Jiménez. The center forward infiltrated with speed, rose higher than the defender and headed close to Galíndez’s goal.
In the 21st minute, right-winger Alvarado fought for the ball in midfield, got the better of it and launched Quiñones. The attacker started from before the midfield line, avoiding the offside, advanced alone, dribbled past an Ecuadorian defender and finished strongly into Galíndez’s right corner: 1-0.
At 30 minutes, Mexico expanded. Raúl Jiménez stole the ball, passed it to Quiñones, received it back and finished in the corner of the Ecuadorian goal, to the left of the goalkeeper, to score a beautiful goal.
Ecuador tried to exploit counterattacks and find the disorganized Mexican defense. The team also bet on individual plays.
The main chances came from the combination between Angulo and Hincapié on the left side and Yeboah’s runs. On two occasions, the Ecuadorian striker threatened the Mexican goal in the opening stages.
In the second half, Ecuador launched more of an attack. Coach Sebastián Beccacece made changes to push for classification, such as replacing defender Ordóñez with winger Medina. Still, the Mexican team was superior.
The Ecuadorians suffered from one of their main problems in the World Cup: a lack of precision. Before Tuesday’s match, the team had finished 46 times in the tournament, but converted only 4% of their attempts into goals.
Before the game ended, in the 49th minute of the second half, full-back Hincapié was sent off for covering his mouth with his hand. The protocol had already been activated in the match between Paraguay and Türkiye, in the group stage of the World Cup. According to FIFA’s new rule, this action is prohibited and punishable by a red card.
Ecuador had a shaky group stage, drawing with Curaçao, losing to Ivory Coast and beating Germany.
The performance contradicted expectations created before the start of the tournament. In the South American Qualifiers for the World Cup, the team finished behind only Argentina in the standings.
Mexico, on the other hand, qualified as leader of Group A, with 9 points. Only France — who beat Sweden earlier this Tuesday — and, eventually, Argentina, if they advance with victory in the 32-team phase, can match the perfect campaign.
The team also kept another hallmark: the goal intact. So far, goalkeeper Tala Rangel has not conceded a goal. Spain, who still face Austria in the 32-team stage, could achieve the same feat.
With the classification, the Mexicans are once again among the 16 best teams at the World Cup. The team reached the round of 16 in the Russian Cup in 2018, but was eliminated by Brazil.
If it advances, the team will repeat its best World Cup campaigns: in 1970 and 1986, the team reached the quarter-finals.
