Julian Quinones let fly with a strike so powerful that the goalkeeper never stood a chance. The ball rocketed into the net, and thousands of miles away in downtown Los Angeles, fireworks exploded into the night sky. Mexico had done it again.
Mexico secured their place in the World Cup last 16 by brushing aside Ecuador 2-0, and the celebrations spread far beyond the borders of Mexico itself. In Los Angeles — a city with one of the largest Mexican populations outside Mexico — fans had gathered for a watch party that erupted with joy when the final whistle blew. "This is by far the best performance we have seen from the Mexican team in a long time," one fan told BBC World Service. "This is happening right now."
The numbers behind Mexico's run are almost unbelievable. Four matches, four wins, eight goals scored, and not a single goal conceded. Their defence has faced just six shots on target in total across all four games. "Disciplined, skilled, tenacious — there are so many things we can say about Mexico," former Nigeria striker Efan Ekoku said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "When a home side is playing like that, it's so hard to stop."
Much of that success comes down to a place Mexico call home: the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The stadium sits at high altitude, making it harder for visiting teams to breathe and run. And the stats show just how much it helps Mexico. In 89 competitive matches there, Mexico have won 70, drawn 17, and lost only two. They are unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the stadium.
"The whole nation is behind them — we've seen the scenes," said Ange Postecoglou, the former Australia and Tottenham manager, speaking on ITV. "If it will be England going down to Mexico, it's going to be like stepping into a different World Cup for them."
If England beat DR Congo in their last-32 match, they would indeed face Mexico at the Azteca. England do have star power — Ballon d'Or favourite Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham. But Mexico fans are not backing down. "It is scary, but with the momentum we have there is the chance to do the impossible," one supporter said.
The team giving them that belief includes some remarkable players. Quinones, who plays for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, has now scored three goals in four games at this tournament. But perhaps the most exciting prospect is 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who became the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match — behind only the legendary Pele in 1958. At 17 years and 259 days old, Mora represents a generation of Mexican players stepping onto the biggest stage of their lives.
Mexico have never gone beyond the World Cup quarter-finals in their history. But with their fortress at the Azteca and a squad firing on all cylinders, their fans dare to dream that this year might finally be different. "There is the chance to do the impossible," one fan said. After watching what this team has delivered so far, that no longer sounds like such a wild claim.