Mexico eased into the World Cup last-16 with a 2-0 win over Ecuador in Mexico City.
Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez either side of the midway point of the first half proved enough for Javier Aguirre’s side, who rarely looked troubled despite Ecuador enjoying more possession after the break.
The result means Mexico progress without conceding a goal at the tournament.
Quinones strikes first
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Mexico made an aggressive start and almost took an early lead when Jimenez headed narrowly wide from Luis Romo’s cross.
Teenager Gilberto Mora continued to impress, twice threatening from distance, while Ecuador’s best chance of the opening stages arrived when John Yeboah beat Cesar Montes and crashed a shot against the post.
Mexico eventually found the breakthrough in the 22nd minute. Quinones started and finished the move, racing onto a perfectly weighted pass before cutting inside and firing into the roof of the net.
Jimenez doubles the advantage
Ecuador struggled to recover from the setback and found themselves further behind just nine minutes later.
A defensive mistake allowed Jimenez to regain possession on the edge of the area before exchanging passes with Quinones. The veteran striker then curled a superb finish into the top corner from close range to make it 2-0.
Mexico remained in control for the remainder of the half, with goalkeeper Raul Rangel only called into serious action once when he produced a fine save to deny Yeboah’s curling effort.
Ecuador unable to find response
Sebastian Beccacece made changes at the interval in an attempt to spark a comeback, but Mexico’s disciplined defensive structure continued to frustrate the South Americans.
Nilson Angulo and Kevin Rodriguez both offered energy after coming on, while Moises Caicedo tried to dictate play from midfield, but clear-cut opportunities remained scarce.
Rodriguez came closest when he latched onto a long pass and rounded Rangel, only to send his effort wide of the target.
At the other end, Mexico almost added a third when Johan Vasquez forced Hernan Galindez into an excellent reaction save from a corner before substitute Orbelin Pineda curled narrowly over late on.
Late frustration for Ecuador
The closing stages summed up Ecuador’s evening as frustration boiled over.
Kendry Paez was booked for a late challenge before defender Piero Hincapie was shown a red card deep into stoppage time after confronting Santiago Gimenez. Under tournament regulations, covering his mouth while directing comments at an opponent was deemed a dismissible offence.
Moises Caicedo also entered the referee’s notebook in the final moments for a late challenge on Pineda.
