Julián Quiñones shines with goal and assist in Mexico’s 2-0 win over Ecuador

Mexico just did something it hasn’t managed since 1986: win a knockout-stage match at a FIFA World Cup. Julián Quiñones, the forward nicknamed “La Pantera,” scored one goal and set up another as El Tri dispatched Ecuador 2-0 in front of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca on June 30, 2026.

The result sends Mexico into the round of 16, ending four decades of heartbreak in the tournament’s elimination rounds.

How the goals unfolded

Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, converting with the kind of clinical finish that has defined his tournament. Nine minutes later, he turned provider, threading a pass to Raúl Jiménez, who doubled the advantage in the 31st minute.

Sofascore gave Quiñones a match rating of 8.2, making him comfortably the best player on the pitch. His teammates and coaching staff received praise from the forward in post-match comments, along with the fans who packed the iconic venue.

Across the 2026 World Cup, Quiñones has now contributed to four goals total, with three goals and one assist.

A 40-year monkey off Mexico’s back

Since their round-of-16 victory at the 1986 World Cup, also hosted on home soil, Mexico had become synonymous with knockout-round exits. Tournament after tournament, the pattern repeated: qualify from the group stage, lose in the first elimination round.

The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, giving El Tri the advantage of playing key matches on home turf. Estadio Azteca, with its altitude and partisan crowd, has historically been one of the most difficult venues in world football for visiting teams.

What this means going forward

Raúl Jiménez finding the net is also significant. The veteran striker scoring in a World Cup knockout match gives manager Javier Aguirre options in attack, with Quiñones capable of playing either as a scorer or a creator depending on what the next opponent demands.

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