MEXICO END 40-YEAR WAIT FOR WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MATCH VICTORY

For Ecuador, a first appearance beyond the group stage in 20 years comes to an immediate end

JUT DONE IT: Julian Quinones of Mexico celebrates scoring his team's first goal Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

MEXICO ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory with a composed 2- 0 win over Ecuador in front of a sold-out crowd at Mexico City Stadium, booking their place in the round of 16, reports Jeannique Kuhne.

Julián Quiñones starred with the opening goal and an all-action display to earn player of the match honours, while Raúl Jiménez added a second as El Tri maintained their remarkable defensive record.

Kick-off was delayed due to a severe thunderstorm but once play got underway Mexico quickly settled despite Ecuador enjoying more of the possession throughout the contest.

The first real opportunity fell to youngster Gilberto Mora in the 16th minute. At 17 years, eight months and 17 days, he became the youngest player at this World Cup and nearly marked the occasion with a memorable goal.

Mexico broke the deadlock six minutes later when Quiñones finished confidently to score his third goal of the tournament, sending the home supporters into celebration.

El Tri doubled their advantage in the 31st minute through Jiménez, whose strike was his 47th international goal. The veteran forward moved into second place on Mexico’s all- time scoring list, behind only Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s tally of 51.

Ecuador continued to control possession, finishing with 57% of the ball, but struggled to break down Mexico’s disciplined defence. Their frustrations were compounded before half-time when goalkeeper Raúl Rangel produced a superb save in the 40th minute to preserve his side’s two-goal cushion.

The South Americans pushed after the break and came closest in the 74th minute when substitute Kevin Rodríguez forced another important intervention, but Mexico’s defence stood firm to record a fourth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament. They also threatened late on, going close again in stoppage time.

Ecuador’s evening ended on a sour note when Piero Hincapié was shown a red card in the fifth minute of added time for covering his mouth while addressing an opponent, becoming only the second player to be dismissed under the World Cup’s new communication rule after Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón earlier in the tournament.

The victory sends Mexico into the round of 16, where the co-hosts will face either England or Congo. They arrive in the knockout stage with four wins from four matches and without conceding a single goal. It also marks only Mexico’s second ever World Cup knockout victory, their first since defeating Bulgaria at the Azteca in 1986.

For Ecuador, a first appearance beyond the group stage in 20 years comes to an immediate end, while the result confirms the complete elimination of Groups E and F from the tournament.

- Staff Writer