Mexico wins to advance in World Cup : NPR

Mexico's Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second objective through the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico Metropolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Silvia Izquierdo/AP

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Silvia Izquierdo/AP

MEXICO CITY — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had realized to dwell with defeats within the knockout levels of the World Cup. On seven events, El Tri followers have been left heartbroken at this stage.

The U.S. men's national team has had an impressive start to this World Cup — winning its group and getting an advantageous path in the knockout round. That round begins Wednesday with a Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, Calif.

Not anymore.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored inside a nine-minute span within the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday evening to interrupt a four-decade drought within the knockout stage and progress to the spherical of 16.

Quiñones opened the scoring within the twenty second minute and Jiménez added a objective within the thirty first for the Mexicans, who had not received a knockout-stage match since defeating Bulgaria within the spherical of 16 after they hosted the match in 1986. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was one of many beginning midfielders in that ’86 group.

“It means quite a bit to me as a result of I’m a kind of who couldn’t progress within the knockout stage,” Aguirre stated. “We’re within the spherical of 16 and it’s occurring a terrific reference to the followers. We’re like a household. It’s spectacular.”

Mexico misplaced seven consecutive instances at that very same stage from 1994 to 2018 and did not advance previous the group stage in 2022.

Mexico's Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with Julian Quinones (16) after scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (9) celebrates with Julian Quinones (16) after scoring their second objective through the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico Metropolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Silvia Izquierdo/AP

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Silvia Izquierdo/AP

Aguirre, who returned as Mexico’s head coach in August of 2024, was an assistant in 1994 and was the coach in 2002 and 2010.

“We can be on excessive alert from right here till Sunday. We are going to attempt to have the gamers get well from this and we are going to see if we’re capable of win once more,” Aguirre stated.

Within the expanded, 48-team World Cup, there’s an additional spherical within the knockout section — the spherical of 32 was inserted for this match between the group stage and the spherical of 16.

Quiñones objectives

U.S. forward #20 Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during their opening World Cup group match against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. on June 12, 2026.

A 3rd objective within the match makes Quiñones El Tri’s second-highest scorer in World Cup historical past behind Luis “Matador” Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, who scored 4 every.

Quiñones, who was the scoring chief within the Saudi Professional League final season, has develop into the spark within the assault that Mexico lacked in earlier World Cups.

“I’m simply pleased with the outcome, that’s all that issues now,” stated Quiñones, who’s taking part in in his first World Cup with Mexico.

The 29-year-old ahead arrived within the nation from Colombia at age 17 and have become a naturalized citizen in 2023.

“Life is about battle and struggle till you get what you need,” he stated, “and I’m taking full benefit of the chance that I bought.”

Jiménez scored his second objective of the match and has 47 with the nationwide group to interrupt a tie with Jared Borgetti. He’s 5 away from tying “Chicharito” Hernández because the all-time main scorer for Mexico.

Mexico will play one other house match Sunday in opposition to the winner of Wednesday’s match between England and Congo.

Enjoying on the iconic Azteca Stadium, the Mexican squad boasts an undefeated document throughout 10 World Cup matches. Mexico has simply two official losses on the venue — the final being a World Cup qualifying defeat to Honduras on Sept. 6, 2013.

With the win, Mexico prolonged its unbeaten run to 12 video games, relationship again to a pleasant loss in opposition to Paraguay in November.

Mexico additionally turned the primary CONCACAF facet to get rid of a group from CONMEBOL in a World Cup knockout match. Groups from South America received the earlier 5 conferences.

The match began one hour after the unique scheduled time attributable to a thunderstorm.

It was the second match of the match delayed by climate. A storm through the France-Iraq match at Philadelphia on June 22 triggered a 2-hour, 11-minute suspension on the finish of the primary half.

Followers throw an enormous fiesta

After the ultimate whistle, celebrations erupted alongside the Reforma avenue, the place hundreds of Mexicans gathered for the festivities.

“That is so thrilling,” Denisse Ildefonso, a 20-year-old cook dinner and avid soccer fan, stated as she jumped up and down shouting “We did it! We did it!” amid the inexperienced, white, and pink lights.

Households and teams of mates erupted in cheers, whereas some followers tossed others into the air amidst the roar of the group.

“I really feel so proud to be Mexican,” shouted Erick Rubio, a 22-year-old school scholar.

The scene performed out throughout dozens of neighborhoods, bars, and parking tons remodeled into soccer fan zones to honor an undefeated nationwide group.