Mexico 2-0 Ecuador: FIFA World Cup 2026. Adverse weather conditions delayed kick-off by an hour at Mexico City Stadium, and the co-hosts had clearly been chomping at the bit as they tore out of the traps.
Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, Raul Jimenez and Mora again could all have broken the deadlock in the opening quarter of an hour. While Ecuador’s John Yeboah toe-poked an 18th-minute effort against the outside of the post, it was Julian Quinones who ultimately got the scoring started with a fearsome drive four minutes later.
With the blue touch-paper lit, Quinones then sparked more delirium in the stands just past the half-hour mark, teeing up Jimenez to double El Tri’s advantage.
Mexico’s only win in 14 previous contests against South American opposition at the World Cup had also come against Ecuador — when, remarkably, Aguirre was also in charge in 2002 — and they made sure of another triumph against La Tricolour with an assured second-half showing.
Ecuador’s evening got even worse deep into stoppage time, when Hincapie was sent off for covering his mouth in an exchange with Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez.
Mexico and their raucous support will now return to Mexico City Stadium on 5 July, when they will take on the winner of the Round of 32 clash between England and Congo DR.