Julian Quinones struck the first goal for Mexico
Mexico outplayed Equador 2-0 for their first knockout victory in the past 40 years at the FIFA World Cup football tournament in front of their home fans at the Azteca Stadium. The win saw them advancing to the Last 16 of the championships after having failed to progress past the group stages four years ago.
The last time that the Mexico won a knockout match was in 1986 when they defeated Bulgaria 2-0 in the Last 16 but were beaten in the quarter-finals on penalty kicks by West Germany.
The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather and when it started the co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of attacks.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.
Tuesday’s win means they are now unbeaten in 10 FIFA World Cup games at the Azteca and will fancy their chances against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
The home team started on the front foot, refusing to allow a shell-shocked Ecuador to settle.
Jimenez wasted a glorious headed chance in the seventh minute and Mora flashed just wide.
At the other end, John Yeboah muscled his way into the penalty area in a rare foray forward for the visitors, clipping the outside of the near post.
Mexico took the lead in the 22nd minute when Saudi-based Quinones received the ball from Roberto Alvarado and tore down the left before driving into the box and unleashing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, raising the roof.
The first hydration break failed to change the script and Mexico doubled their lead after half an hour when Quinones fed Fulham striker Jimenez, who fired a rocket into the top corner.
Raul Rangel produced a fine save to keep out another Yeboah effort as Ecuador got a foothold in the match but chances kept flowing at the other end.
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece made a number of changes after the break in an effort to find a way back into the match.
But Mexico, largely content to sit back, still looked the more threatening team, with Cesar Montes twice going close.
Ecuador substitute Kevin Rodriguez poked just wide with just over a quarter of an hour but their chances ran out.
Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time after covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opposition player to cap a miserable night for Ecuador.
Mexico will hope the Azteca, which hosted the FIFA World Cup final in 1970 and 1986, works its magic again in the last 16 on Sunday.
From the quarter-finals onwards, all the matches at the FIFA World Cup will be taking place in the United States.
