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Mexico see off Ecuador to break 40-year World Cup curse

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Mexico's players celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 32 vs Ecuador at the Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026. [YURI CORTEZ / AFP]

Mexico turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, brushing Ecuador aside 2-0 to break their World Cup knockout curse dating back 40 years.

The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather and when it started the co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of attacks.

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