The last time won a knockout match at the FIFA World Cup™ was in 1986. It happened at Mexico City Stadium and current El Tri coach Javier Aguirre lined up in midfield. That afternoon, one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history, producing a spectacular scissor kick against Bulgaria to set Mexico on their way to a 2-0 victory.
Forty years have passed, and Mexico once again stand on the brink of ending a drought that has haunted several generations. Across the country, fans have poured out onto the streets, driven by the hope that this could finally be the moment.
History, however, offers little encouragement. Since that victory, Mexico have suffered nothing but knockout-stage exits – some more painful than others – and Aguirre has been involved in three of them: first as assistant coach against Bulgaria in 1994, then as head coach against the United States in 2002 and Argentina in 2010.
The question of what went wrong has followed him ever since, but his answer has rarely changed.
"When we win, it’s down to the players. When we lose, it’s down to the coach, because we're the ones who make the decisions. I don't like blaming referees or bad luck,” Aguirre explained ahead of . "I got it wrong on both occasions, and I'll probably make mistakes again because you never stop learning. The important thing is not making the same mistake twice."
According to Aguirre, what sets this World Cup apart from those previous campaigns is the setting itself. He experienced the atmosphere of Mexico 1986 as a player, and now he is living it again from the dugout. After the Group A match against Czechia, the experienced coach admitted he had been overcome with emotion, joking that age had made him more sentimental. "Playing at home gives us a huge lift. Our fans are our 12th player."
Aguirre also acknowledged that the pressure of opening the tournament on home soil affected some of his players, although he believes those nerves are now behind them. The challenge now is very different: a knockout match at home, carrying the weight of history and facing South American opponents, a type of opposition that has often proved difficult for Mexico on the World Cup stage.
"We're prepared for any scenario,” Aguirre insisted. “We want to keep progressing, but we're human beings and we feel the pressure. Within the group, though, we still have the same excitement we had nearly 60 days ago."
Aguirre credits the squad's lengthy spell together for much of the unity they have built. He also believes a generational shift has helped raise Mexico's competitive level.
"In 2002 I only had Paco Palencia playing in Europe. Now I have more than a dozen players based abroad. That shows Mexican footballers are no longer afraid to leave, adapt and compete."
Mexico has history against Ecuador, having beaten the South Americans 2-1 in the group stage at Korea/Japan 2002. More than two decades later, Aguirre knows the landscape has changed. "They've become a team everyone respects. They used to be a step below South America's biggest nations, whereas now they're right up there with them."
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece has described himself as "the architect of a narrative his players can truly make their own," but Aguirre – whose Mexico side have climbed to ninth in theunder his stewardship – will be determined to prevent Ecuador from writing another memorable chapter of their own. "I hope tomorrow we can combine solid defending with direct attacking football and be more clinical in front of goal. I have complete faith in my players."
Sources: FIFA Official
