PREVIEW: Mexico look to continue fantastic form as they face Ecuador at the Azteca | OneFootball

The El Tri have won all three of their games so far at this tournament without conceding a goal and will be looking to continue their incredible performances as they face Ecuador.

Looking to join fellow hosts Canada in the round of 16, Mexico have been unstoppable so far in this tournament as they have cruised to nine points from nine in their group and qualified comfortably for the round of 32.

Mexico haven’t won a knockout game at the World Cup since they last hosted the tournament in 1986, when they bowed out in the quarter-finals. Javier Aguirre will be determined to continue his side’s momentum and set up a tie between either England or the DR Congo in the round of 16.

After comfortably besting South Africa 2-0 in the opening game of this year’s tournament, Mexico then went on to beat South Korea 1-0 in a gritty and determined performance before breezing past and ending the hopes of Czechia in their final group stage game which they had already comfortably qualified for the next round.

However, Mexico haven’t won against a CONMEBOL side at the World Cup finals since they beat Ecuador back in 2002 and have scored just twice in six games since then against their South American neighbours.

Mexico will be favourites no doubt, thanks to the fervent atmosphere of the Azteca and the belief running through the side currently but they will need to be on top form as they face their toughest opponents yet in Ecuador.

Ecuador started their tournament off slowly with a disappointing goalless draw against Curaçao and a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast left them with it all to do against Germany in their final game.

With their tournament on the line, the South Americans rallied to defeat the four-time winners and book their place in the round of 32, they were exceptional against the Germans and deserved their victory.

Tipped as dark horses at the beginning of the tournament, Ecuador will be looking to equal their best ever showing at the World Cup, equalling their heroics in 2006 by finishing in the round of 16.

The South American side are led by Argentinian manager Sebastián Beccacece who has come under huge fire back home for his underwhelming performance during this World Cup considering the talent at his disposal.

That pressure has waned however and now Beccacece can hopefully look to equal history as they head into what will be one of the toughest games at this entire World Cup whilst Mexico are still in it.

Legendary Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa was brought on against Czechia to become just the third player behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to appear in his sixth World Cup.

Now that the remarkable feat has been achieved, it can be expected that Ochoa will once again be replaced by main keeper Raúl Rangel who has performed brilliantly so far in this tournament.

Their striker and now once again Wolves forward Raúl Jiménez will retain his place with the 35-year-old once again leading the line but on the opposite end of the age spectrum is Gilberto Mora who could retain his place having been the youngest ever Mexican player at a World Cup. Mora arrived into this tournament with a lot of fanfare and will be keenly watched by many.

Ecuador won’t be expected to make many huge changes following the Germany win given how well they played, a back-line of Alan Franco, Joel Ordóñez, William Pacho and Piero Hincapié looks on paper to be almost impenetrable and will give Mexico a stern test.

Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo starred in the sides victory over Germany and will keep his place on the left flank as will midfielder and recently anointed captain Moisés Caicedo.

Veteran striker Enner Valencia is certain to continue in the front line with the 36-year old looking for more goals and more history with the national team.

The game kicks off at 02:00 (BST) and is live on ITV.