Co-hosts Mexico arrive in the World Cup knockout rounds with a 100% record and yet to concede a goal as they prepare to take on Ecuador in a Round of 32 clash at the Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Mexico
Mexico took control of Group A from the opening match and didn’t let go, boasting a 100% record and the maximum 9 points, 5 clear of South Africa whilst South Korea with 3 points and Czech Republic with 1 point were eliminated.
Although they were guaranteed to top Group A heading into their clash with Czech Republic at this venue, co-hosts Mexico didn’t let up and they came out on top by a 3-0 scoreline. All the goals came in the second half with Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo the players on target whilst the Mexican defence have yet to concede in this tournament.
In their second outing Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara thanks to a goal from Luis Romo early in the second half. Both sides had chances thereafter but there was no further scoring and Mexico became the first nation to qualify for the Round of 32.
The co-hosts opened their campaign with a more than comfortable 2-0 win over South Africa in Mexico City in the opening match of the tournament. Julian Quinones pounced on a defensive error to give Mexico a ninth minute lead and it stayed that way to half time. Bafana were reduced to 10 men before Raul Jimenez made it 2-0 on 67 minutes. There was another red card for South Africa inside the last 10 minutes and the only blemish on Mexico’s day came when Cesar Montes picked up a straight red in injury time with the game won.
Ecuador:
Ecuador came through as one of the 8 best third placed finishers from the group stage. They were drawn in Group E which saw Germany and Ivory Coast take the top two positions with 6 points. Ecuador were third on 4 points and Curacao earned just the 1 point.
Ecuador were tasked with having to beat Germany in their final group match in New Jersey to stay in the tournament and they responded with a come from behind 2-1 victory. The Germans were already assured of topping the group but still took a second minute lead which was soon cancelled out by a goal from Nilson Angulo, Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament. It stayed that way until the 77th minute when Gonzalo Plata put Ecuador 2-1 up and that’s how it finished.
Ecuador had to settle for a 0-0 draw with the groups rank outsiders Curacao in Kansas City in their second outing. They came up against an inspired Curacao goalkeeper but with 75% of the ball, 27 shots (15 on target) and 9 corners it was hard to fathom how they failed to score.
Ecuador went down 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their first action of the tournament in Philadelphia. They hit the woodwork twice in the first half and once in the second and then conceded the only goal of the game in the 90th minute. The defeat ended a 19 game unbeaten run which stretched back the best part of 2 years.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Mexico are priced at around 32/25 to win the game with the draw available at 22/10 and Ecuador can be backed at around 29/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 19/10 and its 31/25 for both teams to score
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The Verdict:
These teams drew a friendly international 1-1 last year and historically there is little between the sides when they meet. Although it’s Mexico that have displayed the better form Ecuador don’t lose many football matches these days and will take plenty of heart from the win over Germany. I fancy this will go beyond regulation time.
Bets: Match result draw at 22/10 with BetXchange
Note, odds are subject to change
