MEXICO stormed into the last-16 of the World Cup – and sent a warning to potential opponents England in doing so.
The co-hosts blew Ecuador away at a raucous Azteca Stadium after thunder and lightning delayed their clash by an hour.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Mexico booked their place in the last-16 of the World Cup and could next face England Credit: Getty
The co-hosts beat Ecuador at a raucous Azteca Stadium Credit: EPA
The game was delayed by an hour due to lightning in the area Credit: Getty
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored first-half goals to put Mexico in dreamland.
The game kicked off at 8pm local time – an hour after it was originally scheduled – as storms blew through the region.
But it was Ecuador who were caught in a storm at the hands of the co-hosts.
Mexico came flying out of the blocks with both Jimenez and teen star Gilberto Mora going close.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
water down
Fifa make U-turn on rules just minutes before Mexico vs Ecuador World Cup clash
STORM WARNING
Mexico vs Ecuador DELAYED minutes before kick-off as weather wreaks havoc
Quinones then beat the offside trap and broke clear in the 22nd minute – before firing a rocket into the top corner.
Jimenez made amends for his earlier miss with a sublime finish ten minutes later into the top corner.
Mexican fans who braved the elements were jubilant, both at the historic venue and watch parties around the country.
And it could be a destination for Thomas Tuchel’s England side next.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Julian Quinones gave Mexico the lead in a flying start Credit: EPA
Quinones fired a rocket into the top corner Credit: Getty
Raul Jimenez doubled Mexico’s lead with an exquisite finish Credit: Getty
Jimenez’s strike sent the Azteca Stadium into raptures Credit: Getty
Mexico have yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.
And they leaned on their defence in the second half to keep Ecuador at arm’s length.
Javier Aguirre’s side shut the door on their South American opponents, who barely had a sniff of getting back into the game.
Ecuador’s misery was complete when Arsenal star Piero Hincapie was sent off in injury time for covering his mouth while confronting an opponent.
Mexico will face either England or DR Congo in the round of 16 on Jattvibeday night back at the Azteca.
It is a stadium where they have now only lost two of their last 88 competitive games.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino came straight from Ivory Coast vs Norway in Dallas earlier in the day Credit: Getty
Mexican fans watched on in viewing parties around the country Credit: AFP
Fans endured the weather to see their side in knockout action Credit: Reuters
Should England see off DR Congo on Wednesday, the sense of occasion will hit them on Jattvibeday when they head south of the US border.
The Azteca has hosted two World Cup finals and was the venue for the Hand of God game against Diego Maradona’s Argentina in 1986.
Mexico joined co-hosts Canada in booking a place in the last 16.
On Wednesday night, the USA will look to make it a hat-trick of hosts in the next round when they take on Bosnia.
World Cup 2026 – all the info
IT’S A KNOCKOUT
The knockout stages of the World Cup are here, with many big sides still in the hunt for global glory.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought for the nation.
Powerhouse nations like France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina are all serious contenders for the biggest prize in sport.
However, heavyweights Germany and Netherlands have both been knocked out on penalties in the last-32!
Football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are showing no signs of slowing down, on what looks to be the pair’s final World Cup.
LATEST NEWS
KEY INFO
VIDEO
TIPS AND BETTING
If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
