World Cup: Mexico become first team since Italy in 1990 to start with four clean sheets in a row

Mexico’s players celebrate after the World Cup Round of 16 match. (AP photo) MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s dream 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign continues to gather momentum as the co-hosts etched their name into the record books by becoming the first team since Italy in 1990 to open the World Cup with four consecutive victories without conceding a single goal.Javier Aguirre’s side maintained an unblemished run with a 2-0 win over Ecuador in the Round of 32, ending a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout stage victory while extending their remarkable defensive streak to four clean sheets.Mexico have now won all four of their matches, scored eight goals and conceded none and become one of the tournament’s standout teams heading into the round of 16.

The historic start rewrites the World Cup record books

Victory over Ecuador marked Mexico’s first World Cup knockout triumph since defeating Bulgaria at the 1986 tournament on home soil. Since then, El Tri endured seven straight eliminations in the knockout rounds before ending the unwanted streak for good.The latest win also created another piece of history, with Mexico becoming the first country since Italy at the 1990 World Cup to start the tournament with four consecutive clean sheets. Italy have kept five clean sheets in this edition and it will be interesting to see if Mexico match them or not.Aguirre, who was part of Mexico’s 1986 squad and experienced several World Cup disappointments as both player and coach, admitted the result had special meaning.“It means a lot to me because I’m one of those who couldn’t advance in the knockout stages,” Aguirre said. “We’re in the round of 16 and it’s happening because of a great connection with the fans. We’re like a family. It’s spectacular.”

Quiñones and Jiménez lead another clinical picture

After the delay pushed the start back an hour, Mexico quickly settled into their rhythm.Julián Quiñones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a powerful finish before turning provider Raúl Jiménez nine minutes later to double the advantage with a level strike.Named man of the match, Quiñones credited collective effort rather than individual brilliance.“Teamwork is the most important thing today,” he said. “You can excel as an individual, but that’s only possible with a great team performance. That’s our mindset. We have to keep fighting. That’s life: you fight and fight and fight until you get what you want. Thank you to everyone who supported us and believed in us.”Behind the attack, goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez once again kept Mexico unbeaten defensively, extending their clean sheet streak to four games.The co-hosts will now face the winner of the England-DR Congo Round of 32 tie as they look to continue their historic World Cup run on home soil.