Mexico Reaches World Cup Last 16 as 1 Million Flood Mexico City Streets
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Mexico Reaches World Cup Last 16 as 1 Million Flood Mexico City Streets
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Summary
More than 1 million people packed Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma after Mexico beat Ecuador, setting off fireworks, smoke and all-night celebrations around the Angel of Independence.
The win sent Mexico into the World Cup round of 16 and, for the first time in four decades, into a fifth match at the tournament—ending a long-running national “curse.”
For many Mexicans, the outpouring carried weight beyond soccer, offering a rare moment of shared joy in a country more often defined by violence, disappearances and public grief.
Mexico has more than 130,000 officially missing people, making the tournament a brief national reprieve and a chance to fill streets for celebration rather than fear or protest.
Four fans died celebrating Mexico's historic win. Can this World Cup dream truly offer a reprieve from the nation's violent reality?
With its 40-year curse broken on home soil, can coach Aguirre's squad now achieve Mexico's best-ever World Cup performance?
Mexico’s Historic 2-0 World Cup Win Over Ecuador: Celebration Turns to Tragedy as Crowd Crush Claims Lives in Mexico City
Overview
On June 30, 2026, Mexico achieved a historic 2-0 World Cup victory over Ecuador, advancing to the Round of 16 and marking a triumphant return after missing out in 2022. Under coach Aguirre, the team made history by winning their first four games without conceding a goal. This sparked massive celebrations in Mexico City, where an unprecedented number of fans gathered. However, the overwhelming crowds led to a tragic crowd crush, resulting in fatalities and highlighting serious challenges in public safety. The event underscored the need for better crowd management as Mexico prepares for future World Cup matches and hosting duties.