When entering the Azteca field on Tuesday night (30), Mexico was not just facing Ecuador. There was also a curse.
Since 1986, Tricolor had lost all of the knockout matches they played in World Cups. All these defeats playing in green, the same color used now.
The last victory occurred in the 1986 round of 16, against Bulgaria, when the team was also host of the tournament — but wore white.
Superstition or not, the brand worried Mexicans. On the way to the stadium, the topic dominated conversations. “I think it will happen today, the signs are there,” said street vendor Ángel Gomes, 27. A storm was forming over the Azteca, with strong and cold gusts of wind, fog and lightning. For the man, this boded well.
The game was delayed by weather conditions. The national team’s squad, however, remained hot to corner the South Americans and win the match 2-0, producing more. When the confrontation was over, the streets of the capital were taken over by a noisy party.
Vuvuzelas announced the march of fans through the streets of the historic center of Mexico City. In cars and motorcycles, they passed by honking their horns and singing “Cielito Lindo”, the country’s classic melody. The district government had to close streets and avenues to accommodate the crowd that passed aimlessly, but exuding joy.
Many there were already making plans for Tricolor’s next game, on Sunday (5), against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo. “If we win, there will be three days of celebration and vigil for the presidency to declare a national holiday,” said Julieta Yuta, 25, a nurse who combined a shift with the celebration.
With no curse to worry them, the Mexicans are light and hope to sweep this World Cup by storm and, who knows, win their first star.
How was the match
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.
The loudest sighs from the Mexican fans were drawn by young Gilberto Mora, 17, the second youngest player to compete in World Cups. The Tijuana player accelerated the game at all times, symbolizing the team’s spirit in the match.
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.
