Mexico’s defensive masterclass sees off Ecuador to reach World Cup last 16

Mexico produced a disciplined, streetwise display to beat Ecuador 2-0 in Match Round 32 of the World Cup, marrying clinical attacking moments with a superb defensive organisation that shut down their opponents’ greater share of possession.

• Mexico will play with . , on .
• Ecuador will play with . , on .

Mexico

• José Raúl Rangel Aguilar (7.7)
• Jorge Eduardo Sánchez Ramos (7)
• César Jasib Montes Castro (7.7)
• Johan Felipe Vázquez Ibarra (7.7)
• Jesús Daniel Gallardo Vasconcelos (6.7)
• Gilberto Rafael Mora Zambrano (7.2)
• Érik Antonio Lira Méndez (7.2)
• Luis Francisco Romo Barrón (6.9)
• Roberto Carlos Alvarado Hernández (7.2)
• Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez (7.7)
• Julián Andrés Quiñones Quiñones (8.3)

Ecuador

Substitutions:

Mexico

• Gilberto Rafael Mora Zambrano (Brian Gutiérrez, 58)
• Luis Francisco Romo Barrón (Obed Gómez Vargas, 73)
• Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez (Santiago Tomás Giménez, 74)
• Julián Andrés Quiñones Quiñones (Orbelín Pineda Alvarado, 80)
• Roberto Carlos Alvarado Hernández (Israel Reyes Romero, 80)

Ecuador

• Alan Steven Franco Palma (Yaimar Abel Medina Ortiz, 46)
• Joel Leandro Ordóñez Guerrero (Angelo Smit Preciado Quiñónez, 46)
• Enner Remberto Valencia Lastra (Kevin José Rodríguez Cortez, 59)
• John Yeboah Zamora (Jordy Josué Caicedo Medina, 79)
• Nilson David Angulo Ramírez (Ray Kendry Páez Andrade, 79)

Ball possession:

Ecuador saw more of the ball – 57% to Mexico’s 43% – but never found a way through a compact and aggressive Mexican rearguard, managing just one shot on target from seven attempts. Mexico, by contrast, were far more incisive when it mattered, registering 15 shots with three on goal and making their moments count in both penalty areas.

Passes:

This result not only secures Mexico’s passage from the group but also underlines their reputation as one of the tournament’s most resilient defensive units on the big stage.

Defense:

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Face-to-face:

### Defence lays the platform

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Alan Steven Franco Palma (Ecuador) at 45 minute
• Ray Kendry Páez Andrade (Ecuador) at 90 minute
• Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo (Ecuador) at 90 minute

Red cards:

• Piero Martín Hincapié Reyna (Ecuador) at 90 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Mexico –
• Ecuador –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

1. Masour Ousmane Dembélé (3, )
2. Leandro Trossard (2, )
3. Pape Alassane Gueye (2, )
4. Kylian Mbappé Lottin (2, )
5. Julián Andrés Quiñones Quiñones (2, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Mexico will play with . , on .
• Ecuador will play with . , on .