Mexico broke their 40-year World Cup knockout curse on Tuesday by defeating Ecuador 2-0 at their legendary Azteca Stadium.
The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather and when it started the co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of attacks.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.
Ecuador desperately needed to wrest back the momentum after the break but struggled to shift through the gears, with the home side largely in control.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament.
Tuesday’s win means they are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the Azteca and will fancy their chances against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
Mexico were one of only three teams in the group phase to win all three of their matches, alongside France and Argentina, and did not concede a single goal.
Ecuador finished third in their group, scoring just two goals.
Gilberto Mora, 17, was named in the starting line-up for Mexico, becoming the second-youngest player to start a knockout match at the World Cup finals behind Pele in 1958.
The home team started on the front foot, refusing to allow a shell-shocked Ecuador to settle.
Jimenez wasted a glorious headed chance in the seventh minute and Mora flashed just wide.
