Raúl Jiménez seals Mexico's 2-0 win over Ecuador in World Cup knockout

Raúl Jiménez turned a precise pass from Julián Quiñones into Mexico’s second goal, beating Hernán Galíndez in the area for a 2-0 lead that all but settled the match. The strike came in the 31st minute after Quiñones had opened the scoring in the 22nd, giving Mexico two goals in nine minutes and a fast start that carried it past Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup round of 32.

The result sent Mexico into the round of 16 and delivered its first victory in a World Cup knockout match since 1986, ending a 40-year wait in elimination games. Played June 30, 2026, at Mexico City Stadium, also known as Estadio Azteca, the match began with Mexico controlling the tempo and ended with the home side protecting a lead Ecuador never fully threatened.

Jiménez’s goal carried added weight because it came in a match that had already tilted sharply toward Mexico after Quiñones scored first. ESPN’s timeline listed the goals at 22 minutes and 31 minutes, and the sequence reflected Mexico’s sharpest stretch of the tournament so far. The play from Quiñones to Jiménez also underscored how Javier Aguirre’s side combined pace and direct finishing to punish Ecuador’s back line.

Ecuador finished with 10 men after Piero Hincapié was sent off in stoppage time, a detail reported by Reuters, Al Jazeera and ESPN. By then, Mexico had already done the decisive damage. TUDN noted that Jiménez’s goal also ended Ecuador’s run of 26 matches without conceding more than one goal, another sign of how thoroughly Mexico broke through on the night.

For Mexican supporters, including the large fan base following the team from the United States, the performance offered more than a place in the next round. It showed a team that looked organized from the opening whistle, more settled in attack, and capable of carrying real pressure into the knockout stage with Jiménez and Quiñones providing the kind of early punch that changes expectations quickly.