Mexico’s players take part in a training session on the eve of the Round of 32 match against Ecuador. (AFP)
Doha: Co-hosts Mexico will look to extend their flawless World Cup campaign when they host Ecuador in the Round of 32 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a venue where the hosts have enjoyed a remarkable historical record.
Javier Aguirre's side enters the knockout stage in outstanding form, having swept through the group phase with three wins, scoring six goals and conceding none.
A commanding 3-0 demolition of Czech Republic was their biggest win of the tournament, with Julian Quinones emerging as the standout performer after scoring twice.
Mexico have now won five consecutive matches heading into the fixture, and the home crowd will be hoping to see El Tri book a Round of 16 meeting with either England or DR Congo, who face each other on July 1.
Across more than 140 all-time matches at Estadio Azteca, including friendlies, CONCACAF competitions and World Cups, Mexico boast a record of 95 wins, 38 draws and only eight defeats, and Aguirre will be eager to add another victory to that tally.
Ecuador, under Argentine manager Sebastian Beccacece, produced one of the early shocks of the tournament by defeating Germany 2-1, serving notice to the tournament favourites.
Yet the group stage also exposed their weaknesses. A 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curacao raised questions about their consistency, and those concerns will be put to the test against the Mexicans. Mexico head into the crucial encounter with a squad that blends experience and emerging talent.
The midfield combines the work rate of Luis Romo and Erik Lira with the creativity of rising talents Obed Vargas and Gilberto Mora, giving Mexico energy and balance. With several players competing in Europe's top leagues and a core that boasts extensive international experience, Mexico possess the quality to pose a huge threat to Ecuador.
The hosts also have strength across the pitch. Raul Jimenez, 35, brings 45 international goals and 124 caps of experience to the attack, while Santiago Gimenez adds pace and movement. Behind them, Edson Alvarez, who is closing in on his 100th international appearance, provides the midfield steel that has been one of the key factors behind Mexico's clean-sheet run at this World Cup. Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez further strengthen a solid defensive foundation.
For Ecuador, midfielder Moises Caicedo will have a key role to play after being tasked with disrupting Mexico's powerful attack. Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho also provide solidity to an Ecuador defence that has shown it can compete with the world's best.
The two nations have met 26 times, with Mexico holding the historical advantage. Their only previous World Cup meeting came in the 2002 group stage, when Mexico claimed a 2-1 victory. Recent encounters have been much tighter, however. A 1-1 friendly in October 2025, a goalless Copa America draw in June 2024 and a 0-0 friendly in 2022 all suggest Ecuador have narrowed the gap and can no longer be considered underdogs. Ecuador also famously won 3-2 in Mexico City in 2021, and the hosts will be determined to avoid another disappointing result on home soil.
