Match preparations affected by fan activity
The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) has lodged a formal complaint with World Cup organisers following disturbances outside the team’s hotel in Mexico City. Fans reportedly gathered from midnight into the early hours, using loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles to create noise outside the Westin Hotel in Santa Fe, an upscale area on the outskirts of the Mexican capital. This activity occurred the night before Ecuador‘s round-of-32 World Cup match against co-hosts Mexico.
Reports indicate that around 1,000 Mexico supporters participated in what local media described as a ‘serenade’, a musical performance intended to honour or express love. Noisemakers, pans, and buckets were used by fans, who also sang the Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo” before police intervened to move them away. The FEF stated that such conduct deviates from the principles of fair play, equality, and unity that the World Cup should represent.
The federation’s statement added that Ecuador would “always respond on the pitch” and expressed trust that these actions would not tarnish the football celebration uniting the two countries. The FEF has called upon authorities to address these events and implement necessary measures to protect the safety of players, coaching staff, and fans.
Travel challenges and tactical approaches
The fan activity compounded a challenging logistical situation for the Ecuadorian team. They had deliberately planned a last-minute Monday night arrival to mitigate the effects of Mexico City‘s high altitude, which stands at 2,200 metres (7,300ft). Sports scientists generally recommend either an extended acclimatisation period of at least two weeks or the “fly-in, fly-out” method, arriving as close to kickoff as possible to avoid acute symptoms of thin air.
Ecuador‘s journey from Columbus, Ohio, was reportedly plagued by delays. Coach Sebastián Beccacece mentioned that their flight was delayed by over three hours, resulting in a nine-hour journey, three hours longer than scheduled. Additionally, the team landed at the Felipe Ángeles international airport, located 65km (40 miles) from their hotel, requiring them to navigate Mexico City‘s heavy traffic, which was further complicated by heavy rain on Monday.
Despite these challenges, Beccacece noted that the team is doing well and is excited to face an opponent that performed strongly in the group stage. Ecuador‘s trajectory in the tournament reflects the growth of their domestic game, an increase in players competing in Europe, and a youth system that continues to produce talent. Beccacece, an Argentinian, took over as Ecuador‘s head coach in August 2024, succeeding Félix Sánchez.
Under Beccacece, the team has developed a strong defensive discipline, excelling in counterattacks. This philosophy, which prioritises a low block, has been effective, particularly when protecting a lead. While some in Ecuador‘s media have criticised a perceived lack of offensive creativity, the team views its stingy defensive unit as a source of pride. Ecuador were among the joint lowest scorers from South American teams that qualified for the World Cup, alongside Paraguay.
The upcoming match is anticipated to be a tactical encounter, especially given that the last three matches between Mexico and Ecuador have all ended in draws, with two of them being goalless. Mexico has a strong home record, having not lost a competitive fixture at the Estadio Azteca since 2013. The Estadio Azteca, a venue with significant historical importance in football, will host the match.
The Mexico team includes Julian Quiñones, who became a naturalised Mexican citizen in 2023 and was called up to the national team that same year. Quiñones, 29, was born in Colombia and developed his career in Liga MX after arriving in Mexico in 2015. His inclusion highlights a broader trend of the national team’s talent pool extending beyond Mexico’s borders, influenced by migration and family networks.
The match will be officiated by Slavko Vinčić from Slovenia, who previously refereed the 2024 Uefa Champions League final and has overseen Brazil v Morocco and Jordan v Algeria in this tournament. The game is expected to start at 20:00 local time, an hour later than originally scheduled, due to weather conditions. The sky has reportedly cleared, and rain is easing, moving towards football-ready conditions.
Mexico‘s starting XI includes 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, while Ecuador remains unchanged from their previous match against Germany. Moises Caicedo has taken over as captain for Ecuador after Enner Valencia passed on the armband earlier in the week. The atmosphere at the stadium is described as epic, with a large crowd loading up on beers and enjoying a light show and DJ set while awaiting the delayed start.
Source: theguardian.com