- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,191.80+0.03%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,430-0.40%
- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,191.80+0.03%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,430-0.40%
- October 13, 202618°
Mexico breaks 40-year curse by defeating Ecuador
In the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0, securing their first knockout stage victory since 1986. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez ended Mexico's eight-match losing streak in the knockout rounds.
Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday, breaking a 40-year curse of failing to win a knockout match. The victory was Mexico's first knockout stage win since their 1998 triumph over Bulgaria in 1986.
With this result, Mexico ended a streak of eight consecutive knockout round eliminations. That streak was the longest such run of defeats for any team in World Cup history.
Historic milestones
Mexico became the first team from the CONCACAF region to defeat a CONMEBOL team in a World Cup knockout stage. In the five previous meetings between the two confederations, South American teams had always advanced.
Mexico also became the second team since 1994 to keep a clean sheet in their first four matches of a World Cup tournament. Switzerland last achieved this feat in 2006, though they were eliminated on penalties in their fourth match.
Ecuador's defensive resilience broken
Ecuador conceded more than one goal in a match for the first time since their 2-1 loss to Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America. This defeat ended Ecuador's 26-match streak of allowing opponents a maximum of one goal.
Double contribution from Quinones and Jimenez
Julian Quinones (3 goals) and Raul Jimenez (2 goals) became the second Mexican duo to score more than two goals each in the same World Cup tournament, following Luis Hernandez (4 goals) and Ricardo Pelaez (2 goals) in 1998.
Quinones recorded a goal and an assist in the match, becoming the second Mexican player to achieve this in a World Cup knockout stage. Manuel Negrete accomplished the same feat against Bulgaria in 1986.
With this performance, Quinones contributed to a total of 4 goals in the tournament (3 goals, 1 assist), equaling Luis Hernandez's 4-goal contribution in 1998 for the highest score contribution by a Mexican player in a World Cup since 1966.
Other records
Mexico led 2-0 at halftime in a World Cup match for the first time in their 64-match history. They had never entered halftime with a two-goal lead in any World Cup match before.
Midfielder Roberto Alvarado recorded his third assist of the tournament with his pass in this match, becoming the first Mexican to provide three assists in a World Cup since 1966.
Gilberto Mora, aged 17 years and 259 days, became the second youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match in history. Only Pele, who was 17 years and 239 days old in 1958, stands ahead of him.
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
