Ecuador has no memory: the time Mexico won in Quito despite the pressure
Ecuador sent a statement complaining about the serenade that Mexicans gave outside their team hotel, but they forget Quito 1993.
Just hours before Mexico and Ecuador face off in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, the match is already heating up. Mexican fans ‘serenaded’ La Tri outside the team’s hotel, prompting the Ecuadorian Football Federation to file a complaint with the tournament organisers. However, memories can be short.
Mexico has not forgotten the 1993 Copa América in Ecuador. On the eve of the semi-final in Quito, Ecuadorian fans surrounded the Mexican team’s hotel, creating an atmosphere of intense hostility with constant noise throughout the night. On match day, the team bus was also stoned on its way to Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa.
The hostile reception on 30 June 1993, exactly 33 years ago, did not stop El Tri from defeating the hosts 2-0 thanks to goals from Hugo Sánchez and Ramón Ramírez.
Luis Roberto Alves Zague, who was part of the Mexican squad that finished as runners-up in that tournament, later described the atmosphere as one “with a lot of friction” and a genuine “war”. Even so, the team knew it had to respond on the pitch, and it did.
📍Comunicado oficial pic.twitter.com/7jbJcsiHXr
— FEF 🇪🇨 (@FEFecuador) June 30, 2026
Notable incidents involving Ecuadorian football in recent years:
26 June 2019 – Alleged indiscipline at the Copa América: The Ecuadorian Football Federation investigated several national team players following reports of a gathering or party at the team hotel after the draw with Japan.
8 November 2022 – Byron Castillo case: FIFA sanctioned the Ecuadorian Football Federation for submitting documentation containing false information about Byron Castillo, imposing a three-point deduction in Ecuador’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – Homophobic chants: Ecuadorian fans were accused of making homophobic chants during group-stage matches, drawing criticism and prompting warnings on social media and in international media.
29 March 2022 – Harassment of Argentina: Before the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier in Guayaquil, Ecuadorian fans gathered outside the Argentina team’s hotel, using chants and loud noise in an attempt to disrupt the players’ rest.
Copa América 2024 – Fan incidents: Fights and confrontations involving Ecuadorian supporters were reported at several matches during the tournament, requiring intervention from security personnel.
2024 – Attacks on foreign journalists: Reporters from international media outlets reported being subjected to insults, shoving, and verbal abuse by some Ecuadorian fans near Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado while covering the national team’s matches.
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