Mexico beats Ecuador to stay unbeaten

Posted 8:49AM on Sunday 9th June 2002 ( 23 years ago )

MIYAGI, JAPAN - Gerardo Torrado scored the winning goal in the 57th minute Sunday as Mexico rallied to defeat World Cup newcomer Ecuador 2-1 at the World Cup. The victory lifted Mexico to 2-0 in the tournament and kept the CONCACAF region unbeaten. It also gave the Mexicans their first consecutive wins in World Cup finals play. Jared Borgetti also scored for Mexico, which next faces Italy on Thursday. A tie in that game will send the Mexicans into the second round. The Mexicans are playing in their 12th World Cup and have reached the second round every time except 1978. The come-from-behind win spoiled a promising start for the Ecuadoreans, second-place finishers in South American qualifying. Agustin Delgado scored Ecuador's first World Cup goal in the fifth minute, heading home a cross from Ulises de la Cruz. But Mexico regrouped, taking control of the midfield and holding an overwhelming possession advantage. In the 28th minute, Borgetti tied it after one-touching Ramon Morales' pass and Mexico gained steam after that. The Mexicans continued to press in the second half, looking for Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Torrado. Torrado finally had his chance in the 57th when he sent home a soft pass from Joahan Rodriguez from just outside the box. Both teams had good scoring opportunities in the closing minutes as play opened up. Borgetti quickly turned on his defender and his right-footed shot hit the goalpost in the 70th minute. Ecuador's Carlos Tenorio and Delgado remained threats, and Tenoria's blast just sailed wide in the 81st minute. Ecuador had another chance in the 87th when Aguinaga found Marlon Ayovi, whose shot just sailed wide. The teams have played each other 10 times, but Ecuador has only managed one win, 1-0 in a 1996 friendly.

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