AT least two people have died during massive World Cup celebrations in Mexico City after Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory by defeating Ecuador 2-0.
According to local authorities, a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died from asphyxiation as huge crowds poured onto the streets to celebrate the national team’s progression to the Round of 16. Officials have yet to confirm reports by local media suggesting that a third person also lost their life.
More than one million fans gathered across Mexico City, with the largest concentration assembling around the iconic Angel of Independence monument, according to estimates by the city government.
The celebrations followed Mexico’s impressive victory over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, ending a World Cup knockout hoodoo that had stretched back to 1986, when the country last hosted the tournament.
The Round of 32 encounter was delayed by an hour due to stormy weather, but the interruption did little to dampen the hosts’ momentum.
Mexico dominated proceedings from the outset, with Julian Quinones breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute after racing into the penalty area and firing an unstoppable effort beyond Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.
Quinones then turned provider eight minutes later, setting up Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who calmly dispatched his effort into the top corner to double Mexico’s advantage.
Despite making several changes after the interval, Ecuador struggled to threaten a disciplined Mexican side, while defender Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time following a confrontation with an opponent, capping a disappointing evening for the South Americans.
The victory sees Mexico remain unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca Stadium and secures a place in the last 16, where they will face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, managing the national team at a World Cup for the third time, admitted the result was especially emotional after previous disappointments.
“I am one of those that was never able to play the fifth match. It happened to me in South Korea, and it happened to me in South Africa,” Aguirre said.
“So you have a good group stage, and then you get stuck and cannot move forward. But today there was a huge communion with the people.”
The 67-year-old described his squad as “a true family”, praising the unity that has carried the team into the tournament’s last 16.
“I can tell you that this team deserves what is happening,” he said. “This big connection with the fans and playing the World Cup. Today we stand within the top-16 rank. We have been together for a long time, we still like each other, we are very happy, highly focused, and we are a true family.”
Mexico were one of only three teams to win all three of their group-stage matches without conceding a goal, alongside France and Argentina.
Teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora, aged just 17, also made history by becoming the second-youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, behind only Brazilian legend Pelé in 1958.
While Mexico celebrated one of the country’s greatest World Cup moments in decades, the tragedy in the capital cast a shadow over the jubilant scenes, prompting authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
