Mexico ends a 40-year knockout
drought, beats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the round of 16
[July 01, 2026]
By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to
live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven
occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage.
Not anymore.
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in
the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to
break a four-decade drought in the knockout stage and progress to
the round of 16.
Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Jiménez added a
goal in the 31st for the Mexicans, who had not won a knockout-stage
match since defeating Bulgaria in the round of 16 when they hosted
the tournament in 1986. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was one of the
starting midfielders in that '86 team.
“It means a lot to me because I am one of those who could not
progress in the knockout stage,” Aguirre said. “We are in the round
of 16 and it is happening a great connection with the fans. We are
like a family. It is spectacular.”
Mexico lost seven consecutive times at that same stage from 1994 to
2018 and didn't advance past the group stage in 2022.
Aguirre, who returned as Mexico's head coach in August of 2024, was
an assistant in 1994 and was the coach in 2002 and 2010.
“We will be on high alert from here until Sunday. We will try to
have the players recover from this and we will see if we are able to
win again,” Aguirre said.
In the expanded, 48-team World Cup, there’s an extra round in the
knockout phase — the round of 32 was inserted for this tournament
between the group stage and the round of 16.
Quiñones goals
A third goal in the tournament makes Quiñones El Tri’s
second-highest scorer in World Cup history behind Luis “Matador”
Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who scored four each.
Quiñones, who was the scoring leader in the Saudi Pro League last
season, has become the spark in the attack that Mexico lacked in
previous World Cups.
“I am just happy with the result, that is all that matters now,”
said Quiñones, who is playing in his first World Cup with Mexico.
The 29-year-old forward arrived in the country from Colombia at age
17 and became a naturalized citizen in 2023.
“Life is about struggle and fight until you get what you want,” he
said, “and I am taking full advantage of the opportunity that I
got.”
Jiménez scored his second goal of the tournament and has 47 with the
national team to break a tie with Jared Borgetti. He is five away
from tying “Chicharito” Hernández as the all-time leading scorer for
Mexico.
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Mexico's Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with Julian Quinones (16) after
scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer
match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30,
2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexico will play another home match Sunday against
the winner of Wednesday's match between England and Congo.
Playing at the iconic Azteca Stadium, the Mexican squad boasts an
undefeated record across 10 World Cup matches. Mexico has just two
official losses at the venue — the last being a World Cup qualifying
defeat to Honduras on Sept. 6, 2013.
With the win, Mexico extended its unbeaten run to 12 games, dating
back to a friendly loss against Paraguay in November.
Mexico also became the first CONCACAF side to eliminate a team from
CONMEBOL in a World Cup knockout match. Teams from South America won
the previous five meetings.
The match started one hour after the original scheduled time due to
a thunderstorm.
It was the second match of the tournament delayed by weather. A
storm during the France-Iraq match at Philadelphia on June 22 caused
a 2-hour, 11-minute suspension at the end of the first half.
Fans throw a big fiesta
After the final whistle, celebrations erupted alongside the Reforma
avenue, where thousands of Mexicans gathered for the festivities.
“This is so exciting,” Denisse Ildefonso, a 20-year-old cook and
avid soccer fan, said as she jumped up and down shouting “We did it!
We did it!” amid the green, white, and red lights.
Families and groups of friends erupted in cheers, while some fans
tossed others into the air amidst the roar of the crowd.
“I feel so proud to be Mexican,” shouted Erick Rubio, a 22-year-old
college student.
The scene played out across dozens of neighborhoods, bars, and
parking lots transformed into soccer fan zones to honor an
undefeated national team.
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Associated Press writer Maria Verza contributed to this story
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