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Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the round of 16
By Associated Press at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 4 min read
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage.Not anymore.Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half and M...
Key takeaway Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was one of the starting midfielders in that ’86 team.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville 's soccer community is likely abuzz with Mexico's historic win, given the city's growing Hispanic population and increasing interest in the sport. As Mexico advances to the round of 16, local fans may be gathering at restaurants, bars, and community centers to cheer on El Tri. The team's success may also resonate with Nashville's own immigrant communities, who see reflections of their own struggles and triumphs in the stories of players like Julián Quiñones, who became a naturalized Mexican citizen after arriving from Colombia. With the World Cup capturing attention across the city, Nashville's soccer enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how Mexico fares in the next round, and how the team's success might inspire local youth and fuel growth in the sport. Mexico's win may also spark renewed interest in Nashville's own soccer scene, including the city's professional and amateur leagues.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MEXICO CITY (AP) — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage.Not anymore.Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half and M...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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