Mexico vs Ecuador – Match preview and team news
· Yahoo Sports
Host nation Mexico is set to continue their FIFA World Cup journey with a Round of 32 Fixture against Ecuador on Wednesday at the Estadio Azteca.
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Mexico vs Ecuador – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 1st July.
- Kick-off: 2am BST.
- Venue: Mexico City Stadium, Ciudad de México.
Mexico team news
Mexico enters this highly anticipated World Cup Round of 32 knockout match at the Estadio Azteca with a completely healthy roster.
Manager Javier Aguirre has no new injury concerns or suspensions, allowing him to select his absolute strongest starting eleven.
Striker Raúl Jiménez is highly anticipated to return to lead the frontline after being intentionally rested during the final group-stage victory over Czechia.
In goal, Raúl Rangel will resume his starting duties; iconic veteran Guillermo Ochoa returns to the bench after making a brief cameo appearance in the last match to celebrate his historic appearance in a sixth World Cup tournament.
Defensively, the formidable centre-back pairing of César Montes and Johan Vásquez remains untouched after preventing a single goal from being conceded throughout the entire group stage.
Additionally, seventeen-year-old rising star Gilberto Mora is expected to be a dangerous weapon off the bench.
Ecuador team news
Ecuador heads into this crucial knockout fixture boasting a fully fit squad with zero medical concerns.
Head coach Sebastián Beccacece is widely tipped to name an unchanged starting lineup following their monumental 2-1 group-stage triumph over Germany.
Midfielder Moisés Caicedo will continue to wear the captain’s armband, anchoring the centre of the pitch alongside Pedro Vite to dictate the tempo against El Tri.
The defensive back four of Alan Franco, Joel Ordóñez, Willian Pacho, and Piero Hincapié will remain completely intact to provide maximum stability.
In the attacking third, winger Gonzalo Plata is locked in to retain his starting position on the flank after delivering a spectacular, match-winning performance in their previous outing.
Chelsea’s teenage prodigy Kendry Páez is also fully fit and provides Beccacece with an incredibly potent, creative option to break down Mexico’s stubborn defence from the bench.
Form
Mexico
Mexico enters the knockout stage in sensational form, remaining perfectly flawless through the group phase. El Tri topped Group A by winning all three matches, starting with a 2-0 victory over South Africa, followed by a gritty 1-0 win against South Korea, and concluding with a dominant 3-0 masterclass over the Czech Republic.
Defensively impenetrable, Javier Aguirre’s side hasn’t conceded a single goal yet, riding an incredible multi-match winning streak into the Azteca.
Ecuador
Ecuador advanced through a rollercoaster Group E campaign, showing immense resilience to secure their spot. They suffered a narrow 1-0 opening defeat to Ivory Coast, followed by a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Curaçao.
Desperately needing a result in their final group fixture, La Tri pulled off a spectacular 2-1 upset against European giants Germany. This monumental, morale-boosting victory completely revitalised their tournament momentum just in time for the Round of 32.
Predicted lineups
Mexico: Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Lira, Romo, Gutierrez; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones
Ecuador: Galindez; Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Yeboah, Caicedo, Vite, Angulo; Plata, Valencia
How to watch Mexico vs Ecuador?
In the UK, you can watch the Mexico vs. Ecuador match live and completely free on ITV1 and STV (Scotland).
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