Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador to advance in World Cup

Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador to advance in World Cup July 1, 20262:56 AM ET By  The Associated Press 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. Silvia Izquierdo/AP hide caption toggle caption Silvia Izquierdo/AP MEXICO CITY — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage. Soccer Edition Win or go home: The U.S. to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout game Not anymore. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to break a four-decade drought in the knockout stage and progress to the round of 16. Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Jiménez added a goal in the 31st for the Mexicans, who had not won a knockout-stage match since defeating Bulgaria in the round of 16 when they hosted the tournament in 1986. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was one of the starting midfielders in that '86 team. Sponsor Message "It means a lot to me because I am one of those who could not progress in the knockout stage," Aguirre said. "We are in the round of 16 and it is happening a great connection with the fans. We are like a family. It is spectacular." Mexico lost seven consecutive times at that same stage from 1994 to 2018 and didn't advance past 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. Silvia Izquierdo/AP hide caption toggle caption 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...