Mexico will search to finish their 40-year wait to get to the fifth recreation of a World Cup after they face Ecuador within the final 32.
The co-hosts are having fun with an excellent match, having cruised by way of their group with a 100 per cent report, profitable all three video games with out conceding a aim.
Their performances thus far may have considerably raised hopes that this Mexico classic would be the group to get by way of a knockout recreation for the primary time in 40 years.
Not since 1986, when Mexico hosted the match for the second time, have El Tri tasted victory in a knockout tie.
On that event, Mexico beat Bulgaria within the final 16, however they haven’t gone past that stage since, struggling seven consecutive last-16 exits earlier than going out within the group stage in 2022.
With an additional spherical added to the knockout stage following the enlargement to 48 groups, Mexico will nonetheless have vital work to do to get past the final 16 even when they beat Ecuador, however long-awaited success within the fourth recreation of the finals would nonetheless be seen as trigger for nationwide celebration.
The identical goes for Ecuador, although their historical past within the knockout rounds of the World Cup is way much less in depth.
Certainly, the sport at Estadio Azteca will mark solely the second knockout tie in Ecuador’s historical past, their solely earlier expertise having are available 2006.
On that event, Ecuador misplaced 1-0 to England as David Beckham settled the tie with a free-kick, and the Three Lions might lie in watch for a repeat of that last-16 conflict ought to Sebastian Beccacece’s males prevail. England face DR Congo within the spherical of 32 on Wednesday.
Ecuador enduring a rollercoaster group stage, as they suffered a late defeat to Ivory Coast of their match opener earlier than being held to a goalless draw by match debutants Curacao.
That set the stage for a dramatic Group E finale with Germany, with Ecuador coming from behind to win 2-1 in New Jersey and sparked jubilant scenes as they progressed as among the finest third-placed groups.
The victory over Germany is more likely to boosted confidence in Ecuador’s means to drag off an upset towards Mexico, with Beccacece believing they need to concern no person.
“Our aim was to empower this group to not really feel lower than anybody or higher than anybody however to really feel like they will compete with anybody,” he stated after the win over Germany.
“We’re working towards that, however there’s no have to be overconfident. I just like the group to consider in themselves, however even with perception, there must be humility, transparency and integrity.”
Crew information for Mexico v Ecuador
Either side head into the sport freed from harm worries, with Raul Jimenez more likely to return to steer the road for Mexico after being rested for the win over Czechia.
