World Cup co-hosts Mexico can secure a place in the round of 16 at the World Cup tonight when they take on Ecuador at the Azteca.
Javier Aguirre’s side were just one of three teams to complete the group stage with a 100% record – Argentina and France the others – and levels of excitement around the country are reaching fever pitch.
Not since 1986, when Mexico hosted the tournament for the second time, have El Tri tasted victory in a knockout tie.
Ecuador endured a rollercoaster group stage, as they suffered a late defeat to Ivory Coast in their opener before being held to a goalless draw by tournament 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 one of the best third-placed teams.
Where to watch Mexico v Ecuador: TV and online streams
Mexico v Ecuador kicks off at 2:00am UK time on Wednesday. It will be broadcast on ITV1 and STV. The game will also be available to stream via ITVX and the STV Player.
Stats for Mexico v Ecuador
- Valencia is Ecuador’s record World Cup goalscorer with six, but has yet to find the net at this tournament.
- Mexico and Ecuador have met 28 times previously.
- Mexico have won 16 of those games, with Ecuador prevailing in four and eight games ending in draws.
- Each of the last three games between the two sides have ended in draws.
- Mexico won their only previous World Cup meeting with Ecuador, a 2-1 victory in the group stage in 2002.
- However, Mexico are winless in all of their other 13 meetings with South American opposition at the World Cup, drawing two and losing 11.
- Mexico have a 100 per cent record after the group stage. They previously went unbeaten at a World Cup when hosting in 1986, when they went out in the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout against Germany. Mexico have not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since.
- Having scored twice in the group stage, Julián Quiñones needs just two more goals to tie the record for the most by a Mexico player in World Cup history.
- This will be just the second knockout game in Ecuador’s World Cup history. Their only previous knockout tie ended in a 1-0 defeat to England in the last 16 in 2006.
- Enner Valencia will equal the record for most World Cup finals appearances. Should he feature against Mexico, it would mark his eighth World Cup game.