MEXICO CITY: Altitude may have helped Mexico achieve a perfect record in the group stage of this World Cup, but they aren’t likely to provide the same edge against Ecuador in the Round of 32.
Mexico swept through the group stage matches at the tournament for the first time in their history, but the unbeaten run came with a caveat. All three victories took place at venues more than 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above sea level.
El Tri often capitalized late, scoring five of its six goals after halftime, perhaps as fatigue began to take its toll.
“We have a massive advantage as the host country because we’re playing at the Estadio Azteca with our fans and the altitude,” Mexican football commissioner Mikel Arriola said before the tournament. “It is a very potent setting.”
Ecuador, unlike Mexico’s previous opponents, should be well-suited to playing at roughly 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) elevation at the Azteca in Mexico City — which FIFA has renamed Mexico City Stadium during the tournament.
