MEXICO CITY — Y si sí?!The 80,824 announced crowd at Estadio Azteca chanted out their latest rallying cry, which translates to “And if so?”It’s an apt response to all the doubts Mexico faced heading into their 2026 World Cup round of 32 match against Ecuador on Tuesday, June 30. Ecuador was too talented. Ecuador got hot at the right time. El Tri hadn’t won a knockout match in 40 years. No way they could keep up with La Tri.Y si sí?After an hour long rain delay, the world got their answer in El Tri’s 2-0 win.Mexico came out guns blazing in a stark departure from manager Javier Aguirre’s normally conservative style of play. This time, they went on the attack; smothering Ecuador in their half of the pitch as Julián Quiñones netted his third goal of the tournament on a counter where he outran the entire Ecuadorian defense and sidestepped into the box to set up his shot. He followed that up nine minutes later with a perfect assist for Raul Jiménez.Pandemonium ensued at Estadio Azteca once the final whistle blew. Beer was thrown. So were empty cups. All while the supporters sang "El Rey" as per tradition.Y si lo hicieron.Shop Mexico round of 16 ticketsWho will Mexico play in round of 16?Mexico will play the winner of tomorrow's match between England and DR Congo.Is Ecuador eliminated from World Cup?Yes. Read more.FINAL: Mexico 2 - 0 EcuadorTime has run out on Ecuador's attempts to rally back. Mexico successfully parked the bus in the second half, shutting down yet another opponent for their fourth consecutive clean sheet -- and their first knockout stage win in 40 years.El Tri will face the winner between England and DR Congo at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, July 5 in the round of 16.Kendry Paez picks up red cardLa Tri isn't getting out of Mexico City without one more warning from the officials. This time, it was Kendry Paez who picked up what was originally called a yellow on a hard tackle in Mexico's half of the field, but after further review, Paez's offense was deemed worthy of a red card in stoppage time.74' Mexico GK downAfter a collision with an Ecuador player, the goalkeeper recieved treatment briefly on the ground before standing up to resume play.67' Mexico corner kicksWoah! A perfect ball into the box and a header straight at the goal. What a save by Ecuador. A near replica of the first corner happened right after, but this time the header went wide right.Ecuador pushing for a goalLa Tri is keeping the ball in El Tri's third as Mexico sits back to defend its 2-0 lead, but they can't break through.Gilberto Mora gets standing ovation after being subbed offThe 17-year-old has earned the adoration of the home crowd, who sent him off with a thundering roar after he was subbed out in the 58th minute for Brian Gutiérrez.Substitutions for both teams at 58th minuteMexico subs:OUT: Gilberto MoraIN: Brian GutiérrezEcuador subs:OUT: Enner ValenciaIN: Kevin RodríguezHalf time subs for EcuadorOUT: Joel Ordóñez, Alan FrancoIN: Ángelo Preciado, Yaimar MedinaHALF TIME: Mexico 2, Ecuador 0The last time Mexico won a knockout stage match was in this very stadium, a 2-0 win over Bulgaria in 1986. El Tri's now 45 minutes away from their first such win in 40 years, and everyone's feeling it. In a surprising departure from Aguirre-ball, El Tri came out on the attack and dominated time of possession in the earlygoing.Julián Quiñones continues to play at an unreal level, picking up his third goal of the tournament in the 22nd minute by taking the ball coast-to-coast, sidestepping a defender and finding the back of the net. Nine minutes later, he picked up his first assist when he set up Raul Jiménez at the top of the box to double the Mexico lead.El Tri's offense has been suffocating; they've taken 10 shots on nine touches in the opponent's box. Only two of those shots have been on target, but both of those ended up being goals.Alan Franco picks up yellow cardThis match has been physical and chippy throughout the first 45 minutes, and the refs have finally given out their first warning of the night to Ecuadorian defender Alan Franco.Raul Jiménez doubles Mexico's leadWillian Pacho misfired his clearance right to Jiménez; he then cut inside and dished the ball to Julián Quiñones, who got past Alan Franco and delivered the ball right back to Jiménez at the top of the box, teeing up El Tri's second goal of the night in the 31st minute.An emotional Jiménez lied on the grass and his teammates piled on top of him in celebration, while the ecstatic Estadio Azteca crowd broke out in chants of their newest rallying cry -- Y si si?Mexico defends 13-year unbeaten home streak at Azteca against EcuadorMexico enters its Round of 32 match against Ecuador with more than a place in the next round on the line. El Tri has not lost an official match at Estadio Azteca since Sept. 6, 2013, when Honduras stunned Mexico 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier for the 2014 tournament.That defeat, remembered as one of the biggest "Aztecazos" in Mexican soccer history, remains the last time an opponent has beaten Mexico in an official match at the iconic stadium. The only other competitive loss there came against Costa Rica during World Cup qualifying in 2001.Mexico's dominance at Azteca is even stronger on the World Cup stage. El Tri has never lost a World Cup match at the stadium, which has hosted some of the tournament's most memorable moments.As Ecuador looks to reach the Round of 16, it will also try to end a home unbeaten streak that has lasted more than 13 years.Julián Quiñones puts Mexico ahead 1-0Quiñones poked the ball loose from Alan Franco and the ball eventually found Roberto "El Piojo" Alvarado, who got the ball back to Quiñones on the counter. The Saudi Pro League's leading scorer took it all the way down the pitch into the box, sidestepped a defender and fired it into the net for his third goal of the World Cup.Mexico keeping pressure on EcuadorEl Tri has had total control of this one through 15 minutes, save for a dangerous cross into the box from Pedro Vite to Piero Hincapié that was cleared just in time by the head of César Montes.Mexico has controlled the ball for 62% of the time and have four touches in the opponent's box and five shots, though none of them have been on target.Mexico aggressive earlyMaybe it's the energy of the crowd. Maybe it's the pent-up energy of the players after an hour-long delay. El Tri has come out aggressive on the attack in the first five minutes of this one in a stark departure from Javier Aguirre's usual style of play.Mexico vs. Ecuador kicks offWe're officially underway at Estadio Azteca, an hour delayed, but the atmosphere in the building is just as electric as ever.Touching show of support for VenzuelaJust before the national anthems, a moment was held at Estadio Azteca in honor of the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela over the weekend. The crowd chanted "No estas solo!" over and over again in unison.Mexico and Ecuador take the pitch for warmupsEcuador was loudly booed and subjected to "culero" chants from the home crowd as they walked onto the Estadio Azteca pitch. That vitriol almost immediately turned to love when Mexico took the pitch soon after, showering El Tri with deafening cheers.New kickoff time for Mexico vs. Ecuador announcedEl Tri will officially take on La Tri at 8:00 p.m. local time/10:00 p.m. ET.Weather clearing up, still no kick off time announced for Mexico vs. EcuadorThe clouds above El Coloso de Santa Úrsula are dissipating. The rain seems to have stopped, as well as the rest of the inclement weather. No new start time has been announced as of yet, but it could be coming sooner than later.Mexico vs Ecuador delayedThe rain hasn't gotten too much worse but the lightning hasn't let up at all over the last half hour or so, leading game officials to delay this match "temporarily." No new start time has been given yet.Mexico fans aren't too upset, however, as Juan Gabriel's classic, "Hasta Que Te Conocí" has put everyone back into a singing mood.Mexico Starting XI revealedEl Tri has announced their official starting lineup for their round of 32 match against Ecuador, as chosen by manager Javier Aguirre:Goalkeeper: Raúl RangelDefenders: Jorge Sánchez, César Montes (C), Johan Vásquez, Jesús GallardoMidfielders: Gilberto Mora, Érik Lira, Luis RomoForwards: Roberto Alvarado, Julián Quiñones, Raul JiménezEcuador loudly booed upon arrivalSpeaking of thunder, a chorus of boo birds broke out immediately when Ecuador's bus once they were shown walking to the locker room on the jumbotron.And that thing we said about no lightning yet? Forget about that.Rain and thunder coming down pre-matchThe unpredictable Mexico City weather held up for the most part through each of El Tri's two previous matches at this venue; that's not the case today. Some light drizzle has begun to fall onto the pitch and with a fully gray sky, it's hard to tell when it'll stop. Thunder has also been heard, but not lightning as of yet.Mexico arrives at Estadio AztecaThe players got off the bus to a huge roar of approval from the crowd watching their arrival through the jumbotron. Manager Javier Aguirre and co. are walking through the tunnel, taking a quick pit stop to pray before the Virgen de Guadalupe before making it into the locker room.It's a gloomy day in Mexico City, but that hasn't deterred the spirits of the supporters in attendance today. They're still chanting and singing at full volume per usual.Mexico team bus en route to Estadio AztecaAs has become tradition for every game this World Cup, El Tri's team bus route from el Centro de Alto Rendimiento to the stadium is being broadcasted live on the jumbotron as fans -- both in their seats and along the route -- eagerly await the arrival of Mexico for their round of 32 match.What time does Mexico vs Ecuador start?The matchup kicks off at 9:00 PM ET.Where to watch Mexico vs Ecuador liveTV channel: FoxLive stream: Fubo or the Fox One App.Spanish language: Telemundo and Peacock .Watch every World Cup game with FuboMexico vs Ecuador prediction, picksSeth Vertelney: Mexico 1-0 Ecuador – This is a terrible draw for Mexico as a group winner. But El Tri should have enough at home against a team that has been goal-shy for much of this tournament.Jon Arnold: Mexico 1-0 Ecuador – It's a brutal 'reward' for Mexico after a perfect group stage, but while Ecuador is a tough team El Tri can play its game and get through thanks to a set-piece strike.Jesse Yomtov: Mexico 1-0 Ecuador (extra time) – If this wasn't being played at the Azteca, I'd probably be taking Ecuador but El Tri will get its long-awaited knockout round win.Victoria Hernandez: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador – Mexico is the only team that won all three of its group stage matches and gave Memo Ochoa an emotional farewell. They will be riding high to keep their World Cup going.Mexico vs Ecuador oddsMexico lineup todayLineups will be announced approximately an hour before kickoffEcuador lineup todayLineups will be announced approximately an hour before kickoffWhere is Mexico vs Ecuador game?The round of 32 match is being held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.What time does Mexico play today?Tuesday's round of 32 matchup against Ecuador kicks off at 9 p.m. ET.If Mexico wins today when is the next game?If Mexico beats Ecuador, El Tri will face England or DR Congo on July 5 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.Has Mexico won the World Cup?Mexico has never won the World Cup, now making its 18th appearance in the international tournament. The team's best-ever finish was the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986 – both as the host nation.Mexico has lost eight consecutive knockout round games.What time is the Mexico game today Central Time?The Mexico-Ecuador World Cup match begins at 8 p.m. Central Time.Has Ecuador won the World Cup?Ecuador has not won the World Cup, making its debut in 2002. The country's best finish was a trip to the round of 16 in 2006.What time is Mexico game today Pacific Time?Mexico and Ecuador play at 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday in Mexico City.World Cup bracketExplore the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.