Mexico and Ecuador meet tonight with history looming over every moment.
The co-hosts were the only team at this tournament to win all three group games without conceding a goal – a perfect group stage.
And yet, none of it will matter if they cannot finally end the curse – having failed to win a World Cup knockout round match since 1986.
Tonight, in front of 87,000 of their own, Javier Aguirre’s side have the chance to change the story.
Ecuador, meanwhile, have absolutely no right to be here – and that is precisely what makes them dangerous.
