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World Cup: Mexico secures round of 16 berth with victory over Ecuador
01st July, 2026 08:05 AM
Host Mexico became the latest team to advance to the 2026 World Cup round of 16 after a 2-0 win over Ecuador on home soil this Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Just as their first game of the 2026 edition on home soil, Johan Quinones and Raul Jimenez came clutch with first-half goals as they extended their fine unbeaten run to hit the American rivals and secure a last-16 berth.
History for El Tri
The feat marks the end to El Tri’s 40-year wait for a knockout victory in the history of the global football championship.
Ecuador were forced to finish the match with ten men after a red card to Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie as the game wore on.
The Ecuadorian was punished under the new law prohibiting players from covering their mouth while talking to an opponent , marking the second time the law, famously termed the “Prestianni Law’ was apllied to send of a player.
The Saudi Arabia-based attacker opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with an unstoppable shot for his third tournament goal in only his fourth World Cup.
Jimenez added to the lead moments later with his 47th international goal; the host held on to maintain their perfect start to the championship. The EL Tri has not lost any game in the World Cup and boasts the best defensive record with zero goals conceded and eight scored so far.
Advanced teams
The Mexicans now joined France, Paraguay, Morocco, and Brazil among the teams through to the round of 16.
Earlier, favourites France also sailed through after a deserved 3-0 win over Sweden in New Jersey, New York, courtesy of a brace from the mercurial Kylian Mbappé.
The skipper notched a brace to add to Bradley Barcola’s strike as Didier Deschamps affirmed their pre-tournament favourites tag with a third consecutive game where they averaged three goals on the world stage.
Mbappé’s third double of the 2026 tournament puts him at the top of the Golden Boot race, equalling Lionel Messi’s tournament tally of six goals so far.
Morocco joined the teams that have secured a ticket in the round of 16 after a famous penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Monterrey, Mexico.
The victory for Mohammed Ouhabi’s African charges came after Brazil edged Japan 2-1 via a dramatic late winner courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s finish to also storm the competition knockout stages.
Erling Haaland also inspired the European side, Norway, to a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Houston.
The Manchester City striker struck home in the 85th minute to cancel out Amad Diallo’s brilliant equaliser. and send Emerse Fae’s charges out of the competition.
