Mexico vs Ecuador
Co-hosts Mexico get their knockout campaign underway on Tuesday at the Azteca Stadium when they welcome Ecuador for what promises to be a gripping Round of 32 clash.
Javier Aguirre’s Mexico won Group A with three wins from three, beating South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic, while Ecuador pulled off one of the best performances of the tournament so far, beating Germany to squeeze through at the last chance saloon.
Ecuador boss Sebastian Beccacece was a livewire in the technical area as his team battled like tigers to beat the fancied Germans, and Aguirre will be under no illusions that World Cup 2026: Mexico vs Ecuador will be anything other than a tough challenge. El Tri will have their passionate fans with them every step of the way and the underdogs from Ecuador will need to be at their best again to stay with their hosts.
But Beccacece’s team finished second in the South America qualifiers, and if anyone can withstand a tidal wave then they can!
Talking Points
A star is born for Mexico
El Tri finished off their group campaign with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic and that signalled a steady improvement through the group stage, and they looked at their best in a second half as they blew away the Czechs with goals from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo to record their biggest World Cup finals victory since beating El Salvador 4-0 in 1970. El Tri also became the first team to record three cleans sheets at the group stage since Uruguay had three shutouts in Russia 2018.
Veteran striker Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup finals goal in the opener against South Africa and he made the winner in the follow up victory over South Korea. The 35 year old hitman was given a rest in the final game while, at the other end of his career, 17 year old attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora became the youngest player to make a start at the World Cup finals since 2002. After coming on as a substitute against South Africa, Mora was roared on by 80,000 fans at the Azteca Stadium and he was sensational, showing all his ball playing skills and making darting runs to free up space for his team-mates. He also became the youngest Mexican player to feature in the tournament, aged 17 years and 240 days, breaking the previous record of Manuel Rosas way back in 1930.
Mora is already being tracked by some of Europe’s top clubs, Manchester United included, but for now his aim is to make his mark in the Mexico vs Ecuador highlights and help El Tri to get through to the Round of 16.
Ecuador hoping for a ‘Germany bounce’
One of the smallest countries in South America, La Tricolor were simply sensational against Germany fighting back from a goal behind to lead 2-1 and then defending for their lives over the final 15 minutes. Leroy Sane struck for Germany inside the opening two minutes, but within another seven Nilson Angulo hit a brilliant leveller and when Plata reacted quickly to score the winner on 77 minutes, he ignited wild celebrations in the stands in New Jersey.
They made it through to the knockouts as one of the better third placed finishers and it was no more than La Tricolor deserved after such a brilliant show of bravery and skill. They defended a late German onslaught and while the Mexico vs Ecuador betting odds say Beccacece’s men are in for a real struggle against the hosts, Ecuador will leave nothing on the pitch. After failing to score in a 1-0 loss to the Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curacao to bag two against Germany was a superb turnaround and now the underdogs have a chance to build on that.
History
This is Mexico’s 18th appearance at the finals and they are yet to better their quarter final appearances in 1970 and 1986 when they previously hosted the finals. Ecuador have been at four previous finals, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006.
This will be the 17th meeting between these two nations and Mexico have the upper hand, winning eight to Ecuador’s three and there have been five draws. But the last three games have been low scoring draws, two goalless stalemates and then a 1-1 in a 2025 friendly.
El Tri have won their last six games, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one and are yet to concede a goal at this tournament. Meanwhile Ecuador have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six outings.
Betting Tip
The draw at SBOTOP odds of 3.00 and an Ecuador win at 3.60 are both well in play, but I think Mexico, so strong at home will edge this tie, with a correct score of 1-0 to the hosts, the most likely outcome at odds of 5.75.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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