Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 mins: Mexico, as they are wont, take their time stroking the ball around at a snail\u2019s pace in their own half, waiting for Ecuador<\/a> to come at them. La Tri are not interested so Montes and Rangel almost apologetically play keep-ball before hoisting it long.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-off!<\/p>\n An hour later than scheduled we are under way in Mexico<\/a> City\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The rendition of Himno Nacional Mexicano is wonderful. The players look focused and proud, and there\u2019s not a passive bystander in the 80,000+ crammed into the Azteca. Stirring scenes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As Ecuador\u2019s players belt out Salve Oh Patria you really get a sense of their physicality. They are a collection of big units. I also only just realised Marathon, their kit manufacturer, is an Ecuadorian company, which is nice.<\/p>\n The teams line up for the anthems. Photograph: Henry Romero\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.57 EDT<\/p>\n Mexico are wearing their traditional colours of green shirts, white shorts and red socks. Ecuador<\/a> are in vibrant yellow with navy accents.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams are lined up in the tunnel ready to advance onto the historic Azteca turf.<\/p>\n El Tri v La Tri.<\/p>\n A methodical machine with an eagle on its crest against a defensive powerhouse with a condor on its flag.<\/p>\n The immovable object v the immovable object.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If Mexico unlock Ecuador\u2019s defence it is likely Julian Quinones will be involved.<\/p>\n double quotation markQui\u00f1ones, 29, was born in Colombia, arrived in Mexico in 2015 and forged his career in Liga MX. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2023 and was first called up to the national team that same year. His inclusion on the World Cup<\/a> squad raises a question about race that Mexico has tried to avoid for much of its modern history: who has the right to be Mexican?<\/p>\n The answer is wrapped up in the national soccer program\u2019s future, which increasingly lies beyond Mexico\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n For much of the 20th century, the national team was primarily comprised of players developed within its own territory. Today, however, the pool of Mexican talent extends across a transnational landscape shaped by migration and family networks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n double quotation markEcuador\u2019s trajectory may be surprising to some, but it\u2019s really a natural extension of the growth of the domestic game, an increase of players playing their trade in Europe, and a youth system that continues to produce stars\u2026<\/p>\n Beccacece, and Argentinian, became Ecuador\u2019s head coach in August of 2024, replacing F\u00e9lix S\u00e1nchez after losing to Argentina in Copa Am\u00e9rica quarter-final. At 44, he\u2019s a fairly young manager, and has never been an international one. He has no history as a professional player either. In Ecuador, he took one one of the most coveted jobs in South American soccer, with a talented and hungry squad featuring Chelsea\u2019s Mois\u00e9s Caicedo and PSG center back Willian Pacho.<\/p>\n Yet despite this supposed mismatch, Beccacece has instilled defensive discipline into a team that are now masters of the counterattack thanks to an abundance of poise and pace. Under Beccacece, the low block is their friend, especially when protecting a lead and to them, defense \u2013 like the saying goes \u2013 really does win championships. Due to this philosophy, there are some corners of Ecuador\u2019s media that criticize the lack of offensive creativity. Out of the South American teams who qualified for the World Cup, Ecuador were the joint lowest scorers alongside Paraguay. But to the team, their stingy defensive unit is a symbol of pride. .<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As if there wasn\u2019t enough information pointing towards a tactical 0-0 after 90 minutes, the last three matches between this pair have all ended in draws, two of them goalless.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI have just one simple request,\u201d teases Harry Sachar, \u201cthat both Mexico and Ecuador<\/a> play better than France did earlier today. Surely that\u2019s no too much to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n The French demolition of Sweden was the statement performance of the World Cup<\/a> so far. That front four is outrageous, a genuine joy to watch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Form Guide:<\/p>\n Mexico have won six in a row, broadened to nine out of 11 in 2026.<\/p>\n That includes an incredible nine clean sheets.<\/p>\n As previously discussed<\/a>, El Tri are near unbeatable at home. <\/p>\n Ecuador have only lost once since September 2024, their last gasp defeat to Ivory Coast in the group phase.<\/p>\n Since then La Tri have conceded just eight goals in 22 matches.<\/p>\n That run includes eight 0-0 draws.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWithout an official hydration break when does one refresh a Mexican Mule?\u201d asks Lance Berc.<\/p>\n Well, after Nick reported the good news earlier that the hydration breaks have been ditched tonight, he has now followed up to suggest that may not be the case after all. I cannot wait for the sense of jeopardy as the 23 minute mark approaches.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s referee is Slavko Vin\u010di\u0107. The Slovenian officiated the 2024 Uefa Champions League final and has already taken charge of Brazil v Morocco and Jordan v Algeria in this tournament.<\/p>\n Referee Slavko Vin\u010di\u0107. Photograph: Rob Newell\/CameraSport\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Ok, now we know where we all stand, we can enjoy the latest from David Squires.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> We have teams on the pitch! Goalkeepers for their warm-ups, anyway. Deafening boos for Ecuador\u2019s crew, an absolute din for the Mexicans. If anything I think the conditions and resulting wait have dialled up the atmosphere here.<\/p>\n And something else to improve the mood: there will be no \u201chydration breaks\u201d today.<\/p>\n Lightning at the Azteca. Photograph: Carl Recine\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Team News:<\/p>\n A reminder that after a little group stage tinkering Javier Aguirre has settled on his best XI, and it contains 17 year old Gilberto Mora.<\/p>\n Ecuador are unchanged from the side that beat Germany last time out. La Tri are now skippered by Moises Caicedo after Enner Valencia passed on the captain\u2019s armband earlier this week.<\/p>\n Mexico (4-1-2-3): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 3 Montes, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira, 7 Romo, 19 Mora; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.<\/p>\n Ecuador (4-4-2): 1 Hern\u00e1n Gal\u00edndez; 3 Piero Hincapi\u00e9, 4 Joel Ordonez, 6 Willian Pacho, 21 Alan Franco; 15 Pedro Vite, 23 Mois\u00e9s Caicedo; 20, Nilson Angulo, 9 John Yeboah; 13 Enner Valencia, 19 Gonzalo Plata<\/p>\n Gilberto Mora profile<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.21 EDT<\/p>\n Kick-off scheduled for 8pm local\/10pm EDT\/3am BST\/12pm AEST<\/p>\n There is the confirmation. We will be under way an hour later than advertised.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> The sky has cleared considerably, the rain is easing off \u2013 if still coming down steadily \u2013 and we\u2019re nearing football-ready conditions in my opinion. No sign of the players warming up though, so I can\u2019t see this game starting for another hour or so now.<\/p>\n In the meantime a huge, sodden crowd are loading up on beers and being treated to a light show & DJ set. Despite the latter there is something epic about the vibe here, let\u2019s see if we get a game to match.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alan Steenstrup has notified me that: \u201cLocal media is currently saying the game will start at 20.00 local time, so one hour later than the original kickoff time.\u201d I\u2019ll bring you confirmation when it lands.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Paul in North Carolina has emailed in, perhaps under the misapprehension the Sash! banger \u201cEcuador\u201d <\/a>is a official propaganda, but he signs off with a lovely zinger. \u201cSo per that video, Ecuador is only about shouting gauchos, tinkly tones, and weird women? That video may be one of the most counter-productive ad campaigns since our local diner and gas station advertised \u201cEat Here, Get Gas\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s that pesky curse again, isn\u2019t it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Allow content provided by a third party?<\/p>\n This article includes content hosted on embed.bsky.app. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as the provider may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I can\u2019t find any specific information yet on Mexico\u2019s thunderstorm protocol, but the USA\u2019s has been widely circulated following inclement weather earlier in the tournament.<\/p>\n In the US, a match must be immediately suspended if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius. It cannot start, or resume, until 30-minutes after the last lightning strike.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Justin Meyer is having fun in spite of the weather, trading his allegiance from Bafana Bafana to El Tri. \u201cAs a South African in Mexico City currently braving the rain at the fan fest I was obviously disappointed to lose against Canada but honestly just qualifying for the second round for the first time felt like winning the World Cup! Mexico have been incredible hosts and tonight I will be cheering on the home side alongside what are some of the nicest, friendliest people in the world!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Nick Ames is at the Azteca and will keep us updated on the weather. He\u2019s hopeful the delay might only be half an hour or so.<\/p>\n It is pouring down in Mexico City. Photograph: David Ramos\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>Kick-off delayed Kick-off has been delayed here due to a biblical thunderstorm that has been raging above the stadium for more than an hour.<\/p>\n Lighning has flashed directly overhead and the thunder has been loud enough to draw gasps from a storm-hardened crowd inside Azteca.<\/p>\n No sign of the players warming up yet so let\u2019s see how long it is until we get going.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Time for my final prematch coffee and kitchen rave.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n According to my quick scan, Mexico<\/a> haven\u2019t lost at home since a 2018 friendly defeat to Chile. They haven\u2019t lost a competitive fixture, or suffered defeat at the Azteca since 2013. Hashtag fortress.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As if today\u2019s match-up wasn\u2019t even enough, it\u2019s also a referendum on the status of dark horses.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mexico\u2019s football culture dates back to the early 20th century, and the country has a place in history as participants in the first ever World Cup<\/a> match, when they lost 4-1 to France on the opening day of the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay.<\/p>\n The following match against Chile they conceded the World Cup\u2019s first own-goal.<\/p>\n Then against Argentina they scored the competition\u2019s first ever penalty kick\u2026 but still lost 6-3.<\/p>\n Perhaps Mexico<\/a> have always been destined to play World Cup fall guys?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Kiera Healy emails to inform me of some textbook major tournament fan behaviour: \u201cLast night dozens of Mexican fans surrounded the Ecuador team\u2019s hotel, singing, chanting, honking horns etc to keep them awake. There\u2019s been a lot of talk about it in the Spanish-language news – the Ecuadorian team has now lodged an official complaint with FIFA about it. Shades of the 1995 Rugby World Cup<\/a> final, for anyone with long memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ecuador XI<\/p>\n Ecuador are unchanged from the side that scraped through the group phase with a late victory over Germany.<\/p>\n Ecuador (4-4-2): 1 Hern\u00e1n Gal\u00edndez; 3 Piero Hincapi\u00e9, 4 Joel Ordonez, 6 Willian Pacho, 21 Alan Franco; 15 Pedro Vite, 23 Mois\u00e9s Caicedo; 20, Nilson Angulo, 9 John Yeboah; 13 Enner Valencia, 19 Gonzalo Plata<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Mexico XI<\/p>\n 17 year old Gilberto Mora starts in midfield for Mexico<\/a> as Javier Aguirre settles on his preferred XI following a group stage of subtle tinkering.<\/p>\n Mexico (4-1-2-3): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 3 Montes, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira, 7 Romo, 19 Mora; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.<\/p>\n Gilberto Mora<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.57 EDT<\/p>\n There is a third protagonist in this evening\u2019s fixture, the incomparable Estadio Azteca.<\/p>\n The last time a World Cup<\/a> knockout match took place here it ended with Diego Maradona lifting the trophy at the conclusion of a virtuoso individual tournament.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It was already a venue of renown thanks to Pele and his 1970 Brazilian teammates, and for its role in the inaugural (unofficial) women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What about Ecuador<\/a>? As Aaron Timms writes, they are dark horses predicated on strength, with an eye-catching coach.<\/p>\n double quotation markOn the field, through victory and defeat, Ecuador<\/a> have been exactly what everyone imagined they would be before the tournament began: a team with an elite defensive and midfield spine that lacks any real punch up front. But on the sidelines and in the press conferences, they have absolutely dominated, and that\u2019s all down to the gaucho Fabio they have leading their team. With his streaks of dirty blond hair, chinstrap of stubble, and Boeing 747 nose, Sebasti\u00e1n Beccacece looks like the kind of manager who should do well at the World Cup, regardless of results on the pitch. He\u2019s 45 years old, leading a country other than his native Argentina, and arrives at this tournament boasting a fairly modest coaching record, having worked as an assistant under Jorge Sampaoli with Chile and managed the Spanish club side Elche to no great success.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More on the fascinating curse of the fifth game.<\/p>\n Mexico reached the quarterfinals on home soil in 1986, but they were banned from Italia 90 as a consequence of fielding over-age players at the 1988 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament, in what became known as the Cachirules scandal. Because four players were found to have falsified their ages, the fourth match is now cursed, meaning the fifth game never eventuates.<\/p>\n Following the scandal, El Tri were knocked out in the round of 16 (their fourth match) and every World Cup<\/a> from 1994-2018 \u2013 seven tournaments in a row \u2013 before failing to exit the group phase in Qatar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Ra\u00fal Vilchis sets the scene from a Mexican perspective, where the curse of the fifth game looms large over the hosts.<\/p>\n double quotation markMexico\u2019s World Cup history has been marked by decades of defeats in the first-stage of the knockout rounds. Exactly the round Mexico will be playing in for their Tuesday matchup against Ecuador<\/a>. And the country is on edge.<\/p>\n Since 1994, Mexico have made it to the knockouts \u2013 and then fallen at the first hurdle. The only exception was in Qatar when they didn\u2019t even make it out of the groups. The last time Mexico made it to the now mythical \u201cfifth game\u201d was their quarter-final appearance in 1986, which was also the last time the World Cup was held on home soil.<\/p>\n A familiar anxiety that this fourth game will be Mexico\u2019s last at this tournament is building across the nation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Team news will drop in a few minutes and kick-off is still some time away, giving you plenty of opportunity to join in the conversation by emailing me at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.<\/a><\/p>\n You could rhapsodise over France<\/a> and celebrate Norway<\/a>, the two nations through to the round of 16 already today, or ponder what went wrong for the Netherlands<\/a> and fellow European powerhouses Germany<\/a> yesterday.<\/p>\n In the meantime, tuck in to Max and Barry and the rest of the pod squad.<\/p>\n Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Mexico v Ecuador in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup<\/a>. Kick-off at the Estadio Azteca is 7pm local time (9pm EDT \/ 2am BST \/ 11am AEST).<\/p>\n Mexico, the vibrant hosts, went unbeaten during the opening stage<\/a> without conceding a goal, demonstrating the obduracy of their coach Javier Aguirre. Just two years ago El Tri\u2019s preparations were in disarray as they jettisoned their third coach since the start of the Qatar World Cup. For the third time they turned to the man who played in the country\u2019s greatest ever team in 1986, and for the third time he has led them out of the group phase. His task now is to break el quinto partido \u2013 the curse of the fifth game<\/a>.<\/p>\n To do so Mexico must find a way through a team that finished second in continental qualifying, but third in a four-team group<\/a> behind the already eliminated Germany and Ivory Coast. Ecuador are ferociously tough and rarely concede goals, unfortunately for their supporters they rarely score any either.<\/p>\n In a second round already defined by nip-and-tuck contests this is another pairing destined to go down to the wire.<\/p>\n Sudden death football at the most storied venue in World Cup history. These are the moments that make the four year wait worthwhile.<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nick_Ames.png\")
Nick Ames<\/p>\nNick Ames<\/p>\nNick Ames<\/p>\n![\"It\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1599.jpg\")
It\u2019s time to write off the Germans and Brazil battle past Japan | World Cup DailyShare<\/a>Preamble![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jonathan_Howcroft.png\")
Jonathan Howcroft<\/p>\n