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Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 at a packed Estadio Azteca on Tuesday to end a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory and book a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup's last 16.
The win was Mexico's first in the knockout stage since a 2-0 victory over Bulgaria at the same stadium in 1986, when the country last hosted the tournament.
Kickoff was delayed by about an hour because of lightning, but Mexico quickly settled into the game once play began and controlled much of the first half.
Julian Quinones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after cutting in from the left and firing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. Nine minutes later, he turned provider, setting up Raul Jimenez, who drilled the ball into the top corner to double the lead before halftime.
Ecuador tried to turn the match around after the break, with coach Sebastian Beccacece making several changes, but Mexico continued to create the better chances. Cesar Montes twice went close to adding a third goal as the hosts comfortably protected their advantage.
The visitors' difficult night ended with defender Piero Hincapie being sent off in stoppage time under a new rule that penalizes players for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents, leaving Ecuador with 10 men.
The victory extended Mexico's impressive record at the iconic stadium. The team has lost only two of its 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, winning 70, and remains unbeaten in 10 World Cup games played in Mexico City.
It also became just the fourth team in World Cup history to win its first four matches of a tournament without conceding a goal.
Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora also made history by becoming the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, behind Pele in 1958.
England and the Democratic Republic of Congo will meet in a Round of 32 match at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to face Mexico in the round of 16 at Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
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