Mexico vs Ecuador: Live Updates and Match Report
Quick Look
- Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in a Round of 32 World Cup match at Estadio Azteca.
- Julián Quiñones scored the opener, and Raúl Jiménez added a second, becoming Mexico's second all-time top scorer.
- The match took place amidst strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Mexico and Ecuador broke off diplomatic relations in April 2024 following Ecuador's raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas. Despite political tensions, fans expressed a desire to keep football separate from politics.
Live updates: Mexico vs Ecuador
By Simon Smale
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Match reports
1
37' Ecuador free kick
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Finally, some sustained possession for Ecuador.
Quiñones with a late challenge on Caicedo to set up a free kick.
The free kick is poor, as Caicedo who over hits it.
30' MEXICO GET ITS SECOND!!
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Jiménez makes Ecuador pay for poor defensive play.
The stadium is losing its collective mind right now.
Quiñones applies the pressure on the Ecuador defence, which fluffs its lines.
A great one-two between the duo and Jiménez straight in front of goal makes no mistake and gets its past the kepeer and into the net.
The goal makes him Mexico's second all-time top scorer.
25' Hydration break
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Perfect time to score the opener for Mexico.
Ecuador needs to regroup; it is getting completely outplayed.
22' GOAL MEXICO!!
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Julián Quiñones gets the all-important first goal.
Excellent work from Mexico to break through the Ecuadorian press.
Alvarado with the perfect pass to find Quiñones, who times his run perfectly.
He launches a thunderous strike inside the box past the keeper, and there is no chance of saving that.
20' Mexico bench not happy
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Jiménez and Pacho are both chasing after the ball. Jiménez gets on the outside of Pacho, who outmuscles him.
He goes flying into the camera, and both benches are up protesting the referee's decision.
17' Chance Ecuador
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Ecuador build up nicely from the counter.
Hincapié finds Yeboah, who is on the edge of the box, nutmegs his defender, who may have fouled him at the same time.
He gets the shot away, but it goes out of play.
15' Mexico dangerous on counter
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Alvarado breaks away and finds Quiñones, who gets his shot all wrong.
Mexico wins a corner for its troubles.
Mora's subsequent shot after the corner just misses the far post. He cuts it back onto his right foot and whips it past the keeper, but it just misses the goal.
11' Ecuador stuck in defence
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By Pokuah Frimpong
This has been the first real patch of possession for Ecuador, but the players just can't find much space going forward.
Piero Hincapié found himself in space on the right wing and sent the cross into the box, but it was easily cleared by Mexico.
6' Jiménez misses wide
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By Pokuah Frimpong
How has he missed that?
Raúl Jiménez has a golden opportunity. A great cross from Romo to find a diving Jimenez, but he fails to hit the target, and it goes wide.
5' Mexico dominating early
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Mexico has dominated the early possession.
They have gotten the ball into dangerous areas and have created some nice cutback opportunities.
Johan Vásquez has been at the heart of it, with his first shot just sailing over the crossbar.
3' Fans making their voices heard
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By Pokuah Frimpong
I can only imagine what it sounds like at the stadium, but just from the noise coming through, it is so loud and must be intimidating for the Ecuadorian players.
1' Underway at Estadio Azteca
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Mexico gets us underway in this Round of 32 match.
The winner will face either England or DR Congo.
Time for the anthems
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Players are out and ready for the national anthems.
The Mexican anthem being sung in front of the home fans is a sight to behold.
Politics aside, Mexico and Ecuador fans keep World Cup rivalry friendly
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By Pokuah Frimpong
The high-stakes knockout tie arrives against a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between the two countries and days of heated exchanges on social media.
Ecuador and Mexico broke off relations in April 2024 as a result of Ecuador's raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, after which Mexico recalled its diplomats from the South American country.
Former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas, accused of graft, had been living in the Mexican embassy since December of 2023 and received diplomatic asylum shortly before Ecuadorean police stormed the embassy and took him into custody.
The rift grew further last year when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico would not renew diplomatic relations with Ecuador as long as President Daniel Noboa remained in office.
At the Azteca Stadium, however, fans said football remained separate from politics as Mexico sought a first World Cup knockout victory since the 1986 tournament on home soil, while Ecuador were bidding to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time after their run to the last 16 in 2006.
"I think it's mostly something on social media," said Karolina Davila, an Ecuadorean journalist following her country's World Cup campaign. "I've been walking around with my Ecuador flag all day and people have only asked to take pictures. This is my second time in Mexico and everyone has treated me very well."
Davila said Ecuador's travel delay before Monday's official activities was likely more disruptive than the serenade itself.
"What happened afterwards is something we actually enjoy as Ecuadorians. It's part of football folklore and maybe it even gives the players an extra boost," she said.
Reuters
Ecuador coach brushes off travel delays, underdog tag ahead of Mexico clash
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece dismissed concerns over travel fatigue and his team's underdog status ahead of their World Cup round-of-32 match against co-hosts Mexico.
Ecuador advanced from the group stage with a 2-1 comeback win over Germany, having earned one point from their opening two matches. They face a Mexico side that won all three group games, scoring six goals without conceding.
"Predictions were burned a long time ago," Beccacece said. "They counted us out.
"Predictions in football don't exist. What exists is what happens on the pitch."
Ecuador endured a nine-hour travel day ahead of today's match. "The team had planned to arrive at 5pm. However, we arrived at 8:20pm. We don't know the reason for the delay," Beccacece said.
Despite the logistical issues, the coach declined to use the journey as an excuse: "We go, we compete and we play — no complaints or excuses. I am grateful. We might have tired features, but how could I be upset about being in a World Cup?"
The Azteca Stadium's high altitude and a hostile home crowd add to Ecuador's challenge in breaking down Mexico's defence.
"Mexico has a great fortress in this mythical stadium ... Things are always difficult for us, so we take it as a beautiful challenge," Beccacece said.
Reuters
Updated kick-off for Mexico vs Ecuador
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Mexico vs Ecuador is now scheduled for a 12pm (AEST) kick-off.
The match was originally scheduled to kick off at 11am (AEST).
Play was postponed due to adverse weather conditions at the stadium.
'The King is back': Egypt's Salah trains after hamstring scare
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah resumed training today, participating in part of the team's session as he continues his recovery from a hamstring strain and boosting hopes he will be fit for Friday's World Cup last-32 clash against Australia.
Salah was substituted during Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran in their final group match, casting doubt over his availability for the knockout tie in Dallas.
Photos posted on the Egyptian Football Association's Facebook page showed a smiling Salah back on the training pitch in Spokane, where Egypt have been preparing for the Australia match. The team accompanied the images with the caption: "The King is back."
Salah's return was a timely boost for Egypt, who progressed to the knockout stages for the first time after finishing second in their group with five points, behind leaders Belgium on goal difference.
The 34-year-old has been instrumental in Egypt's campaign, scoring once and providing two assists
Reuters
Mexico fans out in force
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By Pokuah Frimpong
Mexican fans are out in their numbers in Mexico City ahead of the Round of 32 clash with Ecuador.
The Estadio Azteca may only be an 87,000-seat stadium, but the Mexico team will have 23 million people cheering them on in Mexico City.
A win for Mexico would be the side's first knockout round win since 1986.
Open Questions
- What was the exact reason for Ecuador's travel delay?
- Will the diplomatic rift impact future sporting events between the nations?