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The Mexican storm was too strong for Ecuador: the masters

Mexico beat Ecuador in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, qualifying for the quarterfinals. Gilberto Mora made history as the youngest player at this stage since Pelé.

<h1>The Mexican storm was too strong for Ecuador: the masters</h1> Mexico qualifies for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. On Tuesday night, the hosts beat Ecuador very convincingly in a match that was delayed due to bad weather. The very young Gilberto Mora, a super teenager, has followed in Pelé's footsteps and on Monday he will face England or the Democratic Republic of Congo with his team.

However, preparation for the meeting for the Ecuadorians was anything but ideal. The Mexican fans disturbed the retreat group's night's sleep by shouting, singing and playing in the street for an entire night. According to local media, around a thousand fans had gathered around the players' hotel, hoping in this way to disturb their opponents' preparations. The Ecuador team said they were very angry at this behavior and filed an official protest with the competent bodies of the World Cup. “This behavior is in stark contrast to the principles of fair play, equality and unity that a World Cup should represent,” the federation wrote in a statement. To this, the Mexicans would have to wait for a response in the field.

And on the field there was an opponent to hold in high regard. The Mexican Gilberto Mora, at 17 years and 259 days, became the youngest player to take the field as a starter in an elimination phase of the World Cup, surpassing the record of Pelé, who in 1958, at 17 years and 239 days, was the youngest to be fielded in a direct elimination match.

The unprecedented match between the two teams, who had already faced each other in the group, was supposed to take place at the Azteca Stadium, but was postponed by an hour due to a heavy storm. The fans present at the stadium therefore had to wait an extra hour to see the match. FIFA made it known that for this match there would not be the famous drinking breaks seen in this World Cup.

However, Mexico started the match with great enthusiasm. After a studious start, the Mexicans took control of the game and immediately created some good opportunities. However, the opening goal was slow in arriving. When it finally arrived, it was a film library net. Alvaro Roberto, after a well-thought-out move, served Julian Quiñones who, with a great shot from outside, put the ball under the top corner: 1-0.

A few minutes later, however, there was a drinking break, which, unlike what was communicated by FIFA, still took place. And, incredible as it may seem, even after this break Mexico doubled their numbers. This time it was Raul Jimenez who scored, who received the ball from Joel Ordóñez and, after making a one-two with Quiñones himself, he appeared in front of the goalkeeper and beat him with a powerful shot.

Ecuador tried to react, especially with ex-Dutch player John Yeboah, who attempted two shots towards the Mexican goal, but with no luck.

In the second half, the Ecuadorian coach tried to shake up his team by making two changes. Defender Alan Franco and winger Joel Ordóñez left and Yaimar Medina and Angelo Preciado entered. Ecuador tried to have more ball possession and attack more, but Mexico closed well in defense and left practically no space for the Ecuadorian attackers.

Indeed, it was the Mexicans who came close to scoring the third goal. Again from a corner, this time defender César Montes headed it, but the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, Hernán Galíndez, performed a miracle and saved his team from a further goal.

Ecuador attempted a last-ditch offensive, but a comeback attempt was thwarted by a sending off. Piero Hincapié, Ecuadorian central defender, received a yellow card for a foul on Santiago Gimenez and was sent off due to an incomprehensible decision by the referee, who took into account the fact that Hincapié had already previously received a yellow card.

Mexico then prevailed 2-0 and entered the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Ecuador, who had qualified for the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, instead ends their World Cup here, exiting in the round of 16.

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<p>Read more on our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.</p>

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