Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said it was the players’ connection with the fans that pushed them to succeed at the World Cup after the co-hosts qualified for the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium was their fourth straight win without a goal conceded at the tournament.
“This connection we have with the fans is a driving force,” Aguirre said at a news conference.
On Tuesday night, the Azteca was packed again, with just over 80,000 fans cheering their team from start to finish and booing every time the opponent touched the ball.
“I’ve had some great victories, but none like today, because it’s at home, with your own people,” added Aguirre, who previously led Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
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On Sunday, Mexico will play again at home in Mexico City in the eighth finals against the winner of the match between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aguirre, 67, praised the Ecuadorian team, which finished second in the South American qualifiers with just two defeats in 18 matches.
“It’s not easy to beat Ecuador,” he said.
Aguirre was happy with Mexico’s performance, his only complaint was that they could not score more goals on the counter-attack to end the match.
Published on July 1, 2026
