MEXICO CITY — Mexicans had learned to live with defeats for their national men’s soccer team in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken after a must-win match went the opponent’s way.
Not anymore. The 40-year wait is over.
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half, and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night Estadio Azteca to break a four-decade drought in the knockout stage and progress to the round of 16 at this 48-team World Cup being co-hosted with Canada and the United States.
Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Jiménez added a goal in the 31st for El Tri, who had not won in the knockout stage at any World Cup since defeating Bulgaria in the round of 16 in 1986, when Mexico hosted the tournament and current head coach Javier Aguirre was one of the starting midfielders.
“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 four years ago in Qatar.
Aguirre, who returned as Mexico’s head coach in August 2024, was an assistant at the 1994 World Cup and held the lead role 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 this expanded 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.
A third goal in the tournament made Quiñones the second-highest scorer in a single World Cup in Mexico history, behind Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who scored four each.
Quiñones, who was the scoring leader in Saudi Arabia’s 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.
Mexico will play another home match Sunday against England, which rallied to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 32 on Wednesday at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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, with the most recent against Honduras during World Cup qualifying on Sept. 6, 2013.
With the latest win, Mexico extended its unbeaten run to 12 games, dating to a loss to Paraguay during an exhibition last November.
Mexico also became the first team from CONCACAF (the association for North American, Central American and Caribbean teams) to eliminate a team from CONMEBOL (the association for South American teams) 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.
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.