Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador to advance in World Cup

Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beating Ecuador 2-0 to reach the World Cup round of 16. On Tuesday night in Mexico City, Julián Quiñones scored in the 22nd minute and Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 31st, with goals coming within a nine-minute span in the first half. The result ended Mexico’s long wait for a knockout-stage win since defeating Bulgaria in 1986, and snapped a streak of seven consecutive losses at that stage from 1994 to 2018. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who had also been involved in the 1986 squad, returned as head coach in August 2024. In the expanded 48-team format, Mexico’s next match is Sunday against the winner of England vs Congo.