The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ Group B finale is set for a thrilling showdown as Mexico and Ecuador face off in a decisive match with significant quarterfinal implications. With Venezuela already securing their place in the knockout stage, this game on Sunday, June 30th, effectively becomes a final for both nations, determining who will claim the coveted second qualification spot from the group.
Ecuador enters this crucial encounter with renewed confidence following a commanding 3-1 victory over Jamaica in their previous match. The Ecuadorian squad, under the guidance of Félix Sánchez, showcased their attacking prowess, building a solid 2-0 lead by halftime and sealing the win with a late goal from Alan Minda. Having found their scoring touch with four goals in the tournament so far, Ecuador aims to carry this momentum into Arizona. Adding to their strength, captain and leading scorer Enner Valencia returns to the lineup after serving a suspension, boosting their offensive capabilities.
Alt text: Enner Valencia, captain and key striker for the Ecuador national football team, celebrating a goal, highlighting his importance for the upcoming match against Mexico.
On the Mexican side, “El Tri” arrives at this critical juncture with an identical record to Ecuador – three points – but trailing in the group standings due to tiebreaker rules. This means only a victory will guarantee Mexico’s passage to the quarterfinals. Jaime Lozano’s team needs to sharpen their offensive edge after a frustrating match against Venezuela where, despite generating numerous scoring opportunities, they fell short. Mexico’s attacking efforts against Venezuela were evident in their high expected goals (xG) of 2.88, a testament to their chance creation, though they ultimately failed to convert, including a missed penalty late in the game. Improved finishing, particularly from players like Santiago Giménez, will be paramount for Mexico to secure the win against Ecuador.
Alt text: Santiago Giménez, a forward for the Mexico national football team, pictured during a game, emphasizing his role in improving Mexico’s goal-scoring efficiency against Ecuador.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Group B leaders Venezuela, already qualified, will simultaneously play against eliminated Jamaica. Venezuela only requires a draw to secure the top spot in the group. This parallel match intensifies the pressure on both Ecuador and Mexico, promising a fiercely contested and offensive-minded encounter between these CONMEBOL and CONCACAF rivals.
Broadcast Information for Mexico vs. Ecuador Match
Fans eager to watch this pivotal Mexico national football team vs Ecuador national football team match can tune in at 5 p.m. local time (Pacific Time, GMT-7), which translates to 6 p.m. in Mexico City and 7 p.m. in Quito. The game will be broadcast across various channels and streaming platforms:
- Mexico: Canal 5, TUDN, VIX, TV Azteca.
- Ecuador: TV Ecuavisa, DirecTV.
- United States: Univision, Unimás, TUDN, Fox, FS1, FS2.
- Canada: RDS, TSN, TSN+.
Historical Context: Mexico and Ecuador in Copa América
Mexico and Ecuador boast a history of five encounters in the Copa América tournament. Their first clash dates back to 1993, with their most recent meeting in 2015. Historically, Mexico has held the upper hand, securing victory in three of these matches and outscoring Ecuador 8 goals to 5. Ecuador has managed only one win, with one game ending in a draw.
Looking at their recent head-to-head record across all competitions, the last five matches reveal a mixed bag of results:
- Mexico 0-0 Ecuador – Friendly (2022)
- Mexico 2-3 Ecuador – Friendly (2021)
- Mexico 3-2 Ecuador – Friendly (2019)
- Mexico 1-2 Ecuador – CONMEBOL Copa América™ (2015)
- Mexico 1-0 Ecuador – Friendly (2015)
Key Match Facts to Consider
- Against Ecuador, Mexico boasts their best win record in CONMEBOL Copa América™ when considering opponents faced at least five times, with a 60% win rate (3 wins in 5 matches). Other teams meeting this criterion are Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.
- Ecuador is aiming for their first consecutive wins against Mexico in the CONMEBOL Copa América™ since 1977. They have won two of their last three games against CONCACAF teams in the tournament, including a 2-1 victory over Mexico in 2015.
- Mexico has struggled against South American teams in recent Copa América tournaments, with only one win in their last 10 matches against CONMEBOL rivals. Furthermore, they have failed to score in their last two games against CONMEBOL opponents, suffering a heavy 0-7 defeat against Chile in 2016 and a 0-1 loss to Venezuela in 2024.
- “El Tri” leads Group B in shots on goal, averaging 19 shots per game in their first two matches, totaling 38. An impressive 14 different Mexican players have registered shots, with Luis Chávez (6) and Julián Quiñones (5) leading the charge.
- Ecuador’s young talent, Kendry Páez, and Venezuela’s veteran striker, Salomón Rondón, are joint top for shots in Group B after the first two rounds, with 8 each. Both have converted a penalty in the tournament.
Probable Starting Lineups
Mexico: Julio González; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes (C), Johan Vásquez, Gerardo Arteaga; Luis Romo, Luis Chávez, Uriel Antuna, Carlos Rodríguez (Orbelín Pineda), Julián Quiñones, Santiago Giménez.
Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez; Ángelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié; Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco, John Yeboah, Kendry Páez, Jeremy Sarmiento; Enner Valencia.
Match Officials
- Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
- Assistant Referees: Luis Ventura (Guatemala) and Brooke Mayo (United States)
- Fourth Official: M. Victoria Penso (United States)
- VAR: Silvio Trucco (Argentina)
Match Details
- Match: Mexico vs Ecuador (Group B, Third Round)
- Date and Time: June 30, 2024, 5 p.m. local time – 6 p.m. Mexico City, 7 p.m. Quito
- Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
This Mexico vs Ecuador match promises to be a captivating encounter, filled with drama and intensity as both teams vie for a place in the Copa América quarterfinals. Football fans should prepare for a Sunday evening filled with exciting South American football action.
