Mexico vs Ecuador LIVE: FIFA World Cup Round of 32 score, commentary & updates

Ecuador complain about fan disruption

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

Ecuador have made a complaint to World Cup organisers over noisy local fans outside their team hotel before tonight's match.

Local media reported around 1,000 Mexico supporters staged a noisy 'serenade' - a musical performance given to honour or express love - in Mexico City on Monday.

Noisemakers, pans and buckets were used to accompany Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo" before police moved them back.

"This conduct is far removed from the principles of fair play, equality and unity that a football World Cup should represent," Ecuador's football federation said in a statement.

The statement stated that Ecuador would "always respond on the pitch" and added: "We trust that these unsporting acts will not tarnish the football celebration that unites two brotherly countries."

Who is Sebastian Beccacece?

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

After no playing career of note, Sebastian Beccacece earned his reputation as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli during Chile's era of success a decade ago - helping them to reach the 2014 World Cup and secure their first-ever Copa America title in 2015.

He was also Sampaoli's assistant at the 2018 World Cup with Argentina while he was in charge of Spanish side Elche before joining Ecuador in August 2024.

The Argentine admitted he would have to leave the role if Ecuador bowed out in the group stage following the stalemate with Curacao, but having now masterminded Ecuador's turnaround by defeating Germany, the 45-year-old has perhaps achieved the biggest feat of his managerial career.

"We never feel like we are in hell, nor do we feel like we are in heaven," he said after beating Germany.

"We have our feet grounded on earth and we feel and think in the right manner."

'Their aim is to have their best World Cup ever'

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

Tim Vickery

South American football expert

I was in Ecuador when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time and I woke up the next morning and the streets in Quito were ankle deep in broken glass.

[The win over Germany] I think, is the greatest moment in the history of the Ecuador national team. Their aim is to have their best World Cup ever.

We did feel they would fancy [having to beat Germany to qualify] more than the nightmare scenario of having to put goals past Curacao. They have dug themselves out of a hole. They have done it the hard way.

I can't think of anything in their World Cup history that compares to this.

Ecuador aim to spoil Mexico's party

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

Ecuador booked their place in the last 32 with a comeback win over Germany, having failed to score in their opening two games.

After that victory, Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa called a national holiday.

While the team have been renowned for their defensive stability under head coach Sebastian Beccacece - they have conceded only nine in 23 games under him and eight of their 18 qualifiers finished 0-0 - they are not a team that sits deep and contains.

Only Uruguay (520) and Canada (488) applied more high-intensity pressures in the opponent’s half in the group stage than Ecuadorians (444), while only Turkey (164) won possession from high-intensity pressures more times than La Tri (150) in the group games.

Ecuador have also made a big decision ahead of the game. Moises Caicedo (pictured) wore the captain’s armband against Germany and it has been confirmed that he will replace Enner Valencia as the team captain on a permanent basis going forward

Warm-up begins...

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

Some people are on the pitch, they think the storm's over.

It is now...

The good news from the Azteca keeps coming, although we have some, er, less good news too.

The hydration breaks have been reinstated to both halves. Can't imagine why.

Get your boos ready...

Mbappe shows love to his boss

Mexico v Ecuador (03:00 BST)

The overwhelming tiredness of the past couple of weeks has likely contributed to this, but boy there have been some emotional moments in this World Cup already.

The latest was Kylian Mbappe making a beeline for France coach Didier Deschamps after scoring the opening goal to give him a big cuddle as he returned to the camp after missing the previous game against Norway following his mother's passing.

What France & Iraq did during 'mentally draining' two-hour weather delay

Mexico v Ecuador - kick-off delayed due to severe weather

The winners of Mexico v Ecuador and England v DR Congo will face each other in the last 16 in the Azteca Stadium on Monday at 01:00 BST.

And given the weather forecast, that could well be impacted by thunderstorms as well.

So far in the tournament there have not been huge problems like this although there was a weather delay lasting more than two hours in the match between France and Iraq.

On that occasion a game that started at 17:00 local time finally ended at 20:47 because of safety concerns amid adverse conditions and ensured a long evening/morning for all involved.

Team news - Mexico make four alterations, with Ecuador unchanged

Mexico v Ecuador - kick-off delayed due to severe weather

We'll start off with some housekeeping. Even though the warm-ups haven't begun, the teamsheets for tonight's game are in.

Javier Aguirre has made four changes to the Mexico XI that beat the Czech Republic in Group A.

Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira, Johan Vasquez, and Raul Jimenez all return in place of Mateo Chavez, Edson Alvarez, Israel Reyes and Guillermo Martínez.

Mexico XI: Rangel, Gallardo, Vasquez, Montes, Sanchez, Romo, Lira, Mora, Quinones, Jimenez, Alvarado.

Subs: Acevedo, Ochoa, Alvarez, Fidalgo, Vega, Gimenez, Gonzalez, Reyes, Pineda, Vargas, Mateo Chavez, Huerta, Martinez, Chavez, Gutierrez.

Ecuador boss Sebastian Beccacec sticks to the starting XI that began their 2-1 win over Germany in their final Group E match.

Ecuador XI: Galindez, Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Yeboah, M Caicedo, Vite, Angulo, Enner Valencia, Plata.

Subs: Ramirez, Valle, Torres, Alcivar, Estupinan, Valencia, Paez, Rodriguez, Minda, J Caicedo, Preciado, Castillo, Arevalo, Porozo, Medina.

Storm clouds gather over Azteca

Mexico v Ecuador - kick-off delayed due to severe weather

First things first, the bad news...

Kick-off is going to be delayed.

Mexico will hope the storm clouds that gathered over the Azteca Stadium earlier are not a bad omen for them.

Fans started pouring in to Mexico's national stadium well over four hours ago but as yet there is no sign of kick-off, because the heavens have opened in a big way with weather warnings showing a thunderstorm for the area.

This match was due to kick off at 19:00 local time (02:00 BST) but is delayed by at least 30 minutes with the players not yet being able to get onto the pitch to warm up.

We'll keep you posted with any updates.

Hola! Buenas dias!

Mexico v Ecuador - kick-off delayed due to severe weather

Pinch, punch, first of the month, no returns of any sort.. which also goes for teams losing in the knockout stages of a World Cup, as it goes.

Goodness me I'm looking forward to this. Mexico v Ecuador, two exotic competitors going into battle on a soupy July evening in the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Grainy footage beamed halfway around the world to bleary eyes back in Blighty... yep, this is going to be special.

Oh, and it's a good chance for England fans to scout the venue, and opposition, should the Three Lions get the all-clear from their appointment with DR Congo this evening.

The start of a very big day indeed, let's bring you up to speed...

Click here to read article