Mexico 2–0 Ecuador: Quiñones and Jiménez Send the Hosts Marching On

The Mexican wave rolls on. The co-hosts, perfect through the group stage, made it four wins from four at their World Cup with a controlled 2–0 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 32 — a night that began at full throat and ended with Ecuadorian tempers boiling over.

Mexico settled the contest inside the opening half-hour. Roberto Alvarado released Julián Quiñones for the opener in the 22nd minute, and nine minutes later Quiñones turned creator, teeing up Raúl Jiménez to make it 2–0. Two goals in nine minutes, a delirious home crowd, and a game plan executed to the letter.

Control, Then Chaos

What followed was a masterclass in tournament management. Ecuador — who stunned Germany in the group stage — needed a response but found a Mexican midfield unwilling to surrender the ball and a defence untroubled by anything the South Americans assembled.

The frustration told in a poisonous finale. Deep into stoppage time, Piero Hincapié was shown a straight red card for unsportsmanlike conduct, one of four Ecuadorian cards in the final minutes as the game ended in a flurry of fouls and flashpoints.

Mexico could not care less. The hosts advance to a mouth-watering Round of 16 meeting with England on July 6, carrying a perfect record, a raucous nation and the growing sense that this team is built for a serious run. Ecuador exit — brave against Germany, blunt when it mattered most.

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