Mexico advances to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, and the capital erupts in joy: more than a million people take to the city center streets to celebrate a 2–0 victory over Ecuador in the knockout round, featuring goals from Julián Quiñones in the 22nd minute and Raúl Jiménez in the 31st.
The Angel of Independence becomes the epicenter of the celebration. From the monument’s steps, tricolor fireworks light up the capital’s sky in green, white, and red. No one wants to go home. Streets surrounding Paseo de la Reforma have been packed to capacity since the final whistle, and the party is extending into the early hours of July 1st.
Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, and Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead nine minutes later. With this result, the National Team secures a decisive lead and claims its fourth victory of the World Cup tournament being played on Mexican soil.
The match took place at the Mexico City Stadium, where tens of thousands of fans cheered on the national squad. Meanwhile, the Zócalo—home to the city’s largest Fan Fest—was packed to capacity. Constant rain did not deter anyone; fans remained steadfast throughout the entire match.
Even before the final whistle, more than a million people had already gathered in Mexico City’s public spaces. Paseo de la Reforma, the Monument to the Revolution, the Torre del Caballito, and the Angel of Independence filled up in a matter of minutes. The city government opened the Palacio de los Deportes parking lot as an additional gathering point, where Grupo Cañaveral performed for those who could not find space at the central locations.
