Mexico is through to the Round of 16 after a 2-0 victory over Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium, ending a 40-year wait for a knockout stage win.

After Mora and Jimenez missed early gilt-edged chances, El Tri rode their luck when Yeboah hit the woodwork.

Quinones then capitalized, firing home a powerful finish in the 22nd minute for the lead.

Nine minutes later, after a hydration break, Jimenez made amends for his earlier miss, linking up neatly with Quinones before striking to give his side an unassailable lead at halftime.

Beccacece's team resorted to hopeful crosses in the second half, with Rodriguez's mishit effort the only real chance.

A heated final frame saw Hincapie sent off for covering his mouth to speak with Gimenez, but Ecuador couldn't convert their frustration into anything positive.

The CONMEBOL side falls to defeat with just 0.73 xG (1.02 for El Tri).

Mexico advances to face either England or DR Congo, while Ecuador's first trip past the group stage in 20 years ends at the first hurdle.

That concludes our coverage of this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 knockout tie.

Full-Time

FULL-TIME!

Mexico takes a dominant 2-0 victory over Ecuador in this FIFA World Cup match at Mexico City Stadium.

YELLOW CARD!

Moises Caicedo is booked in the ninth minute of added time for a late challenge on Pineda, sticking out a leg right in front of the referee.

The fourth official signals seven minutes of added time.

RED CARD!

HINCAPIE IS SENT OFF!

Ecuador is down to 10 men!

Hincapie pushes his forehead into Gimenez's face, then covers his mouth to say something to the substitute striker.

Gimenez immediately alerts the referee.

A new World Cup directive states that obstructing your mouth while having heated words with an opponent is a dismissible offense.

After a quick VAR review, Slavko Vincic sends Hincapie off!

YELLOW CARD!

Paez shows his frustration with a late kick that sends Pineda to the ground in midfield.

The young Ecuador player is booked.

INCHES AWAY FROM A THIRD!

Lira pulls a defender into the Ecuador penalty area, then shifts the ball to the unmarked Pineda.

The substitute takes a step and whips a curling shot towards the top corner, but it misses the target narrowly!

Hincapie glances Vite's cross to Jordy Caicedo, whose volley is blocked by a crowd of defenders.

Mexico counters, but Gimenez's pass to the overlapping Pineda lacks power, allowing Moises Caicedo to make a desperate, ball-winning tackle.

Preciado's long throw into Mexico's penalty area causes some havoc, but Gallardo rises highest to head the ball away from Plata.

Moises Caicedo chips a pass into the 18-yard box, but Vasquez heads it away.

Caicedo gets the ball back 30 yards out, centrally, and takes a first-time half-volley that skids through traffic but misses the target entirely.

Mexico and Ecuador have faced off four times in the last five years, including friendlies and Copa America group stage matches.

The last three encounters have all been draws (two 0-0s and a 1-1), following a 3-2 win for the CONMEBOL side in 2021.