A potential trip to the Azteca Stadium awaits England if they beat DR Congo on Wednesday after Mexico strolled past Ecuador 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Kick-off was delayed by an hour due to a severe thunderstorm sweeping across the Mexican capital, but once the skies cleared, it was Javier Aguirre’s side who brought the storm.
Kick-off was delayed by one hour after storms hit Mexico City
Roared on by a deafening home crowd, Mexico exploded out of the blocks with an intensity Ecuador simply could not live with. Their aggressive pressing, slick movement and relentless energy overwhelmed their South American opponents.
Julian Quinones was sent clear down the left and cut inside before firing into the top corner on 22 minutes.
Quinones put Mexico on their way to a comfortable victory
Raul Jimenez deservedly got his goal before the interval. After more sloppy play from Ecuador’s defence, Quinones turned provider, squaring for the veteran striker to hammer home.
Ecuador’s response after the break lacked conviction as Mexico expertly controlled possession, slowed the tempo when required and rarely allowed their opponents a meaningful route back into the contest.
Frustration within the Ecuador ranks finally boiled over deep into stoppage time.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie was shown a straight red card following an altercation with substitute Santiago Gimenez after the defender appeared to cover his mouth while speaking during the confrontation.
Now an even bigger occasion could be on the horizon. If England overcome DR Congo in the last 32, a heavyweight last 16 meeting with the hosts promises to be one of the ties of the tournament.
Analysis: Mexico vs England? A World Cup classic in the making…
Mexico celebrate their fourth straight win and clean sheet at the World Cup
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
If England take care of business against DR Congo, Mexico await. At the Azteca.
If that doesn’t get the juices flowing, then football probably isn’t for you.
Mexico did not resemble a nation celebrating its first World Cup knockout victory since 1986. It looked like one expecting more.
Four games. Four wins. Eight goals scored. None conceded.
The Azteca remains one of football’s great fortresses. In 89 competitive matches at their preferred home, Mexico have now lost only twice. Visiting teams do not simply face 11 players in green. They face altitude, heat, noise and an atmosphere capable of turning every tackle, clearance and shot into a defining moment.
Host nations can gather a force that statistics struggle to quantify at World Cups. Every victory strengthens belief. Mexico appear to be riding that wave at exactly the right time.
The challenge awaiting England, if they get there, could be a football match of epic proportions.
One step at a time though, eh?
The key moments from Mexico City…
- KICK-OFF DELAYED! Storms in Mexico City mean the game is pushed back an hour to allow lightning strikes to pass.
- 22: GOAL! Mexico’s supercharged start gets the goal it deserves as Quiñones breaks in behind and finishes powerfully.
- 31: GOAL! Some sloppy defending is punished by Jimenez, who finds the top corner with a classy finish.
- 66: BIG SAVE! Hernan Galindez denies Mexico skipper Cesar Montes with a fantastic fingertip save.
- 90+4: RED CARD! Hincapie is shown a straight red card for covering his mouth in an altercation with Gimenez.