local
Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the round of 16
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored goals in a nine-minute span in the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to break a 40-year drought without a win in the knockout stage and progressed to the World Cup round of 16.Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute while Ji...
Key takeaway In Qatar 2022, they were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since Argentina in 1978.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The Mexican national team's victory over Ecuador has sent shockwaves of excitement throughout San Antonio 's vibrant Mexican-American community. With a significant portion of the city's population claiming Mexican heritage, the team's success is being closely followed by local fans. The win is especially sweet given Mexico's 40-year drought without a knockout stage victory, and it has brought a sense of pride and unity to the community. As Mexico advances to the round of 16, local businesses and restaurants are likely to see an increase in activity, with fans gathering to watch the matches and celebrate the team's progress. The city's strong cultural ties to Mexico make this World Cup run a significant event, and residents will be eagerly anticipating the team's next match on Sunday.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored goals in a nine-minute span in the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to break a 40-year drought without a win in the knockout stage and progressed to the World Cup round of 16.Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute while Ji...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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