Mexico have become the first Concacaf team to eliminate a CONMEBOL nation from the World Cup after defeating Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32.

Julian Quinones was the star of the show for the co-hosts, scoring the opener before assisting Raul Jimenez as Javier Aguirre`s side will face either England or DR Congo in the last 16.

Despite kick-off being delayed by an hour due to a thunderstorm, Mexico wasted no time in finding their rhythm as Raul Jimenez sent a header wide of the target before 17-year-old Gilberto Mora curled narrowly past the right post.

El Tri recorded six shots in the opening 15 minutes, though Ecuador fired a warning shot of their own as John Yeboah poked the ball through the legs of Cesar Montes before striking the woodwork.

Nevertheless, Mexico were ahead in the 22nd minute as Roberto Alvarado sent Quinones through on goal, and the forward made no mistake with his powerful drive at the near post.

And their lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark as Jimenez combined with Quinones before lashing into the top-right corner, leaving Hernan Galindez no chance of making a save.

Yeboah forced a stop from Raul Rangel before half-time, but Ecuador failed to gain any momentum after the break, with Galindez denying a header from Montes at the other end instead.

There was still time for one last moment of drama in second-half stoppage time, as Piero Hincapie was shown a red card following a VAR review for covering his mouth while talking to Mexico`s Santiago Gimenez.

Mexico produce perfect balance of attack and defence

Although the expected goals (xG) battle suggests it was a close contest, with Mexico producing 1.02 xG to Ecuador`s 0.73, the co-hosts looked comfortable throughout the tie.

El Tri started on the front foot and were rewarded for their attacking intent with two goals inside 31 minutes, with Quinones playing a key role.

Quinones is just the second Mexican player to score in three games of a single World Cup, joining Luis Hernandez in 1998; Quinones also equalled Hernandez`s Mexico record for most direct goal contribution in a single edition of the competition (four).

The 29-year-old is the second Mexican player to record a goal and an assist in a World Cup knockout match, joining Negrete vs. Bulgaria in 1986, while only Alvarado (four) created more chances against Ecuador than Quinones (three).

At the other end of the pitch, Mexico stood firm in defence once again. Aguirre`s side are yet to concede any goals at the tournament so far, while they did not concede a single shot on target in the second half of this knockout match.

Mexico are just the second team since 1994 to keep clean sheets in each of their first four matches of a World Cup after Switzerland in 2006, who were eliminated (on penalties) in their fourth match despite not conceding a goal in the tournament.

Mexico have also not allowed a goal in the first half of their last 15 World Cup matches, the second-longest streak in the competition`s history (England - 19 straight from 1982 to 1998), last conceding against Argentina in 2010.

The co-host will surely start to dream of glory now, with England or DR Congo up next once again at Mexico City Stadium.