World Cup 2026: Mexico crush Ecuador at the Azteca and set their sights on the Quinto Partido curse in the last 16
Four wins, eight goals scored, none conceded. Mexico’s perfect home campaign at this World Cup rolls on. On Friday night at the Azteca, El Tricolor beat Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32, in front of 80,824 fans who turned the place into a carnival long before kick-off, which was pushed back an hour because of heavy storms over Mexico City. Quinones got the party started with a thunderous strike into the top left corner in the 22nd minute, before Jimenez also lashed one into the top right corner in the 31st. Two classy finishes to bury an Ecuador side that never really laid a glove on the game, despite a few efforts from Yeboah and Caicedo.
Javier Aguirre’s side were on top from the opening whistle, carving out chance after chance in the early stages. Mora, Romo, Jimenez and Alvarado all came close before Quinones found the top corner. It was one-way traffic and it drove the home fans wild, with Mexico supporters taunting their opponents every time they touched the ball with a loud chorus of “Ole!”. After the break, Ecuador tried to respond through Cesar Montes, Kevin Rodriguez and Caicedo, but the contest was long gone.
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The Quinto Partido curse is the last hurdle before Mexico’s dream
Quinones, named man of the match for the third straight game in this World Cup, scored his third goal at the Azteca in as many matches. He had managed just two in his first 22 caps. A startling change for a player riding the wave of a home tournament that suits him perfectly.
Mexico will now try to finally end the Quinto Partido curse. In their long World Cup history, they have never won their fifth game at the tournament. Under the old format, that meant the quarter-finals. This time, it will be a last-16 tie in the night from Sunday to Monday, against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo. A huge night for a nation desperate to rewrite its World Cup story in front of its own fans.
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