Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, expressed his joy at reaching the World Cup round of 16, a milestone he had not achieved in his previous tenures with the team. This accomplishment was sealed with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador, marking Mexico’s first knockout-stage win since the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico, where Aguirre played.
Aguirre, aged 67, led Mexico in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, where they were eliminated in the initial knockout round. Reflecting on this achievement, Aguirre emphasized the significance of progressing further this time, stating, “It means a lot to me; I was never able to play that fifth match.”
Following goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez in the first half against Ecuador, Aguirre commended his team’s unity, highlighting their exceptional performance with four consecutive wins in the tournament without conceding. He attributed their success to a strong bond with the fans and the honor of playing a World Cup on home soil.
Mexico’s upcoming challenge will be against the victor of the England vs. Democratic Republic of Congo match. Aguirre emphasized the need to prepare diligently, emphasizing the importance of rest and readiness for the next game. He affirmed, “We’ll keep our spirits up during the week and do our best to play another good match.”
