Mexico Dominates Ecuador in High-Octane Match

Ecuador make their final changes, with Kendry Páez and Jordy Caicedo introduced as they look for a late spark. John Yeboah and Nelson Angulo are the players to make way.

Mexico also shuffle things, with Orbelín Pineda coming on for Julián Quiñones, who gets a warm reception after his earlier thunderous opener.

Kevin Rodríguez comes agonisingly close to pulling one back for Ecuador. He brings down a long pass superbly on the chest, bursts into the box, and stretches to flick it past Raúl Rangel, but it rolls just wide of the post.

It was a tough finish under pressure, with Rangel standing tall to narrow the angle and make life difficult. Ecuador’s first properly dangerous direct ball finally creates something, but they can’t take advantage. Rodríguez also takes a knock in the process and needs treatment.

Raúl Jiménez and Luis Romo make way for fresh legs, with Santiago Giménez and Diego Laínez coming on for Mexico.

Before that, Ecuador had a brief spell of pressure after Moisés Caicedo launched a superb 70-yard diagonal to bypass the press, but they couldn’t turn it into a clear chance as Gonzalo Plata just failed to reach a dangerous cross at the back post.

Raúl Jiménez spots the run of Julián Quiñones with a clever flicked pass, but Ecuador manage to block the cross behind for a corner.

From the set piece, César Montes rises well and powers a header goalward, only for Hernán Galíndez to tip it over the bar. Mexico keep the pressure on from the next corner too, but Montes can’t keep his second effort on target as it drifts past the post.

Ecuador nearly get themselves into trouble at the back after a risky pass into their own six-yard box, with Willian Pacho almost dispossessed under pressure. He keeps his composure well though, twisting away from danger before clearing the lines.

At the other end, Enner Valencia finally gets a sight of goal but can only fire well over from a tight angle, wasting a rare opening for La Tri.

An intense first half comes to a close with Mexico firmly in control after a blistering start. The hosts surged out of the blocks and struck twice in quick succession, first through Julián Quiñones who powered in from the left, and then Raúl Jiménez who reacted quickest to a loose ball before smashing a brilliant finish into the top corner from distance.

Ecuador have looked unsettled under the pressure and atmosphere, although they’ve had moments of their own, including a shot that clipped the post from John Yeboah and another effort well saved by Raúl Rangel. Set-pieces have also offered glimpses, but they’ve yet to truly test Mexico’s lead.

It’s a gift from Ecuador, and Mexico punish it instantly. Joel Ordóñez is caught in possession on the edge of his own box and his clearance goes straight to Raúl Jiménez. He reacts quickest, slipping it to Julián Quiñones and continuing his run into space.

Quiñones returns it first time, and Jiménez opens up his body before smashing a rising finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. The Azteca erupts as Mexico turn a defensive error into a ruthless, high-speed combination goal.

Julián Quiñones starts deep in his own half, timing his run perfectly to beat the offside trap as Mexico spring forward in transition. Jesús Gallardo spots him in space and releases him down the left channel as Ecuador are caught completely exposed. From there it’s pure power and intent, Quiñones drives straight at goal, holds off pressure and unleashes an unstoppable strike from just inside the box that flies past the keeper. A devastating counterattack finished with real authority.

That’s his third goal of the tournament, having scored the very first goal of the entire World Cup as well. He’s been unstoppable tonight, adding another to his tally and tearing Ecuador apart in this knockout clash.