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Will Mexico make a deep run after ‘impressive’ win over Ecuador

Alexis Guerreros·Christian PolancoWed, July 1, 2026 at 5:56 PM UTC

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros of The Cooligans explain why El Tri still needs to prove it in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check out the full conversation on the “The Cooligans” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

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Video Transcript

Right, right.

yeah, this is- w- when you see the performances from, players like, Quiones, Jimnez, uh- Jimnez finally getting on the score sheet.

Oh, he got- he scored in the first game.

Yeah, but still, I mean, you know.

Yeah, yeah.

I mean, in the- As- as we get closer to the knockout rounds- In the knockout game, no this wasn't against South Africa.

You know?

Yeah, yeah.

Gilberto Mora.

They, they, they- They started him, right?

Yeah, yeah, they did.

Yeah.

which is what?

Just, like, the, the, clearly the right decision.

Just the, the- And they would never start a They wouldn't let a kid play back in the day.

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And now they're starting their young stars.

The, the, they just, there's a, a, a real belief, and, and after the game when you're seeing the, the players, you know, celebrate with the fans.

And again, you know, the last time we were at the, Azteca, it was just constant, just negativity, criticism.

Mm-hmm.

Fuera Tata, fuera Tata.

They were just, like, frustrated where the national team, was, and this really, really I mean, it's not even just the wins, it's just the, it's the performances.

They, they are not allowing goals.

Mm-hmm.

They, are getting, they're scoring, consistently.

They're, they're playing with, just w- just a real chemistry.

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And it's just, it's- And again- genuinely awesome to see.

Yeah, and they're not leaning on athleticism.

I think the same thing I would've said about, the US.

They're not just leaning on their athleticism, they're playing a tactical game out there in a way that I've been really impressed with the job that Aguirre has done.

Yeah.

I mean, look, if, if, as far as the, the, the, the three host countries- Mm-hmm I mean, Mexico is just, is taking the most advantage of being a host country.

I mean, Canada- I mean- la- you know, not, not playing the performance- Their stadium is also in the sky.

per- performances are just not the, what you, or what, you know, I think what everybody would expect or, or, or would've hoped for.

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And, same thing kind of with the US, like, you know, k- giving up goals or whatever, but Mexico has been consistent.

I, I, it, it's very much feeling like out of the three countries, like, please, let's not, we don't wanna face- Yeah Mexico.

And we put a lot of, we put a lot on Mexico because you played South Africa, yeah, you impressed.

The group stage to me didn't give you, didn't answer all the questions you might have had about Mexico.

This game did.

Yeah.

The game against Ecuador answered all your questions.

Now, can they keep that going?

And historically, this quinto partido, which is now the round of 16, is traditionally a round of 16 where they collapse, where they fall apart, or they're cheated, right?

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Noat up and out if you guys are f- uh- Right watching.

To me, this is the moment where I think they need to prove it.

They need to prove it to the nation, they need to prove it to these fans that have been supporting them and leaving comments on the Chicharito.