Mexico and Ecuador Kick Off Knockout Stage at Estadio Azteca After Weather Delay
Quick Look
- Mexico and Ecuador begin their knockout stage campaign at the Estadio Azteca following a weather delay.
- Both teams have announced their starting XIs, featuring key players like Enner Valencia for Ecuador and Raúl Jiménez for Mexico.
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Why It Matters
Mexico and Ecuador are starting their knockout stage campaigns at the Estadio Azteca after a weather delay. Both teams have announced their starting lineups for the Round of 32 clash.
We are underway at the Estadio Azteca after a long weather delay, with both Mexico and Ecuador finally getting their knockout campaign started. It’s a cautious opening from both sides in front of a tense crowd, with neither team taking early risks as they settle into the rhythm of this high-stakes Round of 32 clash.
Ecuador have named their starting XI for the Round of 32 clash against Mexico, sticking with the core group that helped them reach the knockout stage.
Ecuador Starting XI:
Goalkeeper:
Hernán Galíndez
Defenders:
Alan Franco
Joel Ordóñez
Willian Pacho
Piero Hincapié
Midfielders:
Moisés Caicedo (C)
Pedro Vite
John Yeboah
Nilson Angulo
Forwards:
Gonzalo Plata
Enner Valencia
Ecuador keep faith in their settled core, with Caicedo captaining the side from midfield and Valencia leading the line as their main attacking threat. Manager Sebastián Beccacece sticks with the group that delivered a crucial win over Germany to seal their place in the Round of 32.
Mexico have named a strong lineup for their Round of 32 clash against Ecuador, with Javier Aguirre bringing back several key starters for the knockout stage.
Mexico Starting XI:
Goalkeeper:
Raúl Rangel
Defenders:
Jorge Sánchez
César Montes (C)
Johan Vásquez
Jesús Gallardo
Midfielders:
Erik Lira
Luis Romo
Gilberto Mora
Forwards:
Roberto Alvarado
Raúl Jiménez
Julián Quiñones
Jiménez returns to lead the attack after being rested in the group stage, while Erik Lira is also reinstated in midfield. César Montes captains the side in place of Edson Álvarez, who drops to the bench, as Mexico go into this knockout match with a more experienced core.
