Mexico bets on home advantage and less leaky defense in the World Cup against Ecuador
Mexico and Ecuador face each other this Tuesday (30), at 10pm (Brasília time), at the Azteca Stadium, in the second phase of the 2026 World Cup. The match pits a team that has yet to concede a goal in the tournament and another that arrives motivated by the victory over Germany in the last round of the group stage.
Javier Aguirre's Mexico had an impeccable campaign in group A. They beat South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0) and the Czech Republic (3-0), ending the first phase with 100% success and without losing. Defensive consistency has become the team's main hallmark so far in the World Cup.
Even with the positive numbers, the performance does not go unharmed by criticism. Part of the analysis of the Mexican team points to the difficulty in transforming possession into more aggressive control, especially in the early stages, which has generated internal charges despite the perfect campaign.
Ecuador, in turn, reaches the knockout stages after a recovery trajectory. Sebastián Beccacece's team debuted with a defeat to Ivory Coast (1-0), drew goalless with Curaçao and secured qualification by beating Germany 2-1, a result that changed the level of the campaign.
The moment, however, is still accompanied by offensive questions. Ecuador only managed to score its first goals in the victory over the Germans, after two games of little offensive production, which fueled criticism of the team's aim in the group stage.
The history of the confrontation favors Mexico. In 25 matches played, there are 14 Mexican victories, seven draws and four Ecuador victories. In World Cups, the only duel took place in 2002, with Mexico winning 2-1 in the group stage.
In recent years, however, the balance has increased. Since 2021, the teams have faced each other four times, with three draws and an Ecuadorian victory, a scenario that reinforces the expectation of a more balanced game than the general record indicates.
The campaign at the top of group A guaranteed Mexico to remain at Azteca at this stage of the tournament, a factor seen as important by the technical committee. The support of the fans and the familiar atmosphere are treated as differentiators in an eliminatory duel.
Javier Aguirre maintains his speech of high ambition and must reach maximum strength. "I want to be among the top ten in the world, it would be very beautiful for us", said the Mexican coach.
On the other side, Sebastián Beccacece also has no absences and tends to repeat the basis of the victory over Germany, paying attention to the situation of Enner Valencia, still without goals in the competition.
"We know that we are going to face an extremely difficult match, in which once again we will have to trust in the magic of these players, who will need to give their all to emerge victorious", said the Ecuadorian coach.
Whoever advances in the Azteca will face the winner of England and DR Congo, in a duel scheduled for Wednesday (1st), in Atlanta, in the United States.
United States shows interest in hosting the 2038 World Cup
Source: CNN