Pre-match disturbances in Mexico City
The Ecuador national football team has lodged a formal complaint with World Cup organisers regarding disturbances outside their team hotel in Mexico City. Reports indicate that approximately 1,000 Mexico supporters gathered to perform a ‘serenade’ on Monday night, ahead of the last-32 match between the two nations. This event took place at the Westin Hotel in Santa Fe, an area on the outskirts of the Mexican capital.
Fans reportedly used noisemakers, pans, and buckets while singing the Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo.” The gathering, which lasted from midnight into the early hours, also involved loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles, aiming to disrupt the visiting team’s rest. Police eventually intervened to move the supporters back from the hotel.
The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) stated that such conduct deviates from the principles of fair play, equality, and unity that a World Cup should represent. The federation expressed its trust that these actions would not detract from the football celebration uniting the two countries. The FEF called upon authorities to address these events and implement measures to ensure the safety of players, coaching staff, and fans.
Match preparations and team travel
The fan gathering occurred after Ecuador‘s team experienced travel delays. The squad had planned a late Monday night arrival to mitigate the effects of Mexico City‘s high altitude, which stands at 2,200 metres (7,300ft). This strategy, known as the “fly-in, fly-out” method, involves arriving as close to kick-off as possible to avoid acute symptoms of altitude sickness.
However, Ecuador‘s journey from Columbus, Ohio, was affected by a flight delay of over three hours. Coach Sebastián Beccacece noted that the entire transfer to the hotel resulted in a nine-hour journey, three hours longer than scheduled. Additionally, the team landed at the Felipe Ángeles international airport, located 65km (40 miles) from their hotel, and had to navigate heavy traffic in Mexico City, which was further compounded by rain on Monday.
The match is scheduled to be played at Mexico City Stadium. Mexico has a strong record at this venue, having won all three of their previous World Cup games there. Ecuador secured their place in the knockout stages following a win against Germany.
On-field action and early exchanges
During the match, Mexico started with intensity, with Mora being particularly active. In the 4th minute, Mora was involved in an attack on the inside-right channel, setting up a cross that was cleared. Alvarado also had an attempt from the edge of the box that was blocked. The atmosphere at the Azteca was described as hostile, with boos greeting Ecuador when they took possession.
In the 7th minute, Jimenez narrowly missed a significant opportunity, heading just off target after a cross from Romo. Ecuador then began to establish a foothold in the game, with Hincapie making a run down the left in the 10th minute, though his cross was cut out. Lira contributed to a turnover for Mexico, driving towards the right corner before being dispossessed.
Mora, described as a young player, attempted a curling shot towards the far post from the left edge of the box in the 15th minute, which went just wide. A flashpoint occurred when Pacho challenged Jimenez off the ball, sending the Mexican striker into the technical area. In the 18th minute, Yeboah hit the outside of the near post for Ecuador after a move initiated by Plata on the right.
A hydration break was taken in the 25th minute. Shortly after, Quinones scored for Mexico, running directly at goal and unleashing a shot from just inside the box after being found by Gallardo. This goal followed an earlier miss by Jimenez. Jimenez later scored, exchanging passes with Quinones outside the box before striking the ball into the top corner. Ecuador‘s defence appeared unsettled, with Quinones, Mora, and Alvarado switching positions for Mexico. Rangel, Mexico‘s goalkeeper, made a save from Yeboah‘s effort in the 40th minute, and also clawed away corners in the 34th and 42nd minutes. Ecuador earned a free-kick in the 45th minute, but Caicedo‘s delivery was overhit. Jimenez had another chance in the 45th minute, but his volleyed effort was scuffed after a cutback from Sanchez.
Julian Quinones, who became a naturalised Mexican citizen in 2023, was called up to the national team in the same year and is involved in Mexico‘s offensive play. Ecuador‘s head coach, Sebastián Beccacece, an Argentinian, took over after Félix Sánchez following a Copa América quarter-final loss to Argentina.
Read Also
Source: theguardian.com
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
