MEXICO CITY: Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory as first-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured a 2-0 ​win over Ecuador and sent the co-hosts into the last 16.

The Round of 32 success was Mexico’s first in the ‌knockout stages of a World Cup since beating Bulgaria, also at home, in 1986. Next up for them at the Estadio Azteca will be England or DR Congo.

Kickoff was delayed by an hour by thunderstorms then Mexico nearly took an early lead when Raul Jimenez peeled away to meet Luis Romo’s inviting cross, only to head narrowly wide.

Teenager Gilberto Mora ​then came within inches of producing one of the goals of the tournament, whipping a fierce effort from a tight angle just beyond Hernan Galindez’s far post.

The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when Roberto Alvarado picked out Quinones and the Colombian-born forward shrugged off Willian Pacho before thundering his third goal of the tournament.

Mexico doubled their advantage nine minutes later after Ecuador surrendered possession on the edge ​of their own penalty area. Jimenez exchanged passes with Quinones and rifled a first-time strike into the top corner for his 47th international goal, moving within five of Javier Hernandez’s ‌all-time Mexico ⁠scoring record.

The second half began with thousands of Mexico supporters chanting “Y si sí?” (“What if?”), a slogan that has ​become the team’s rallying cry during the tournament ​as belief spread through the packed ⁠Azteca that this could finally be the year the hosts ended their knockout drought.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said: “A really good first half and in the second half we managed to stay calm behind the ball. Judging by the atmosphere and how happy everyone ​is, I’m convinced there’s a real bond between the fans and the team.”

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