Fans storm fan fest in Monterrey and Mexico City during World Cup match Mexico vs. Ecuador

Homophobic chants in the stadium

Despite the incidents, in Mexico City hundreds of thousands of people watched the match on the Zócalo square and along the Paseo de la Reforma. The mood surrounding the Round of 16 clash had already been heated beforehand. According to reports, fans in the Azteca stadium directed homophobic insults specifically at Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernan Galindez as he took goal kicks.

The Mexican federation and world governing body FIFA had repeatedly addressed the issue of homophobic chants in recent weeks. Only about three weeks before the start of the tournament, FIFA had closed fan sections at a test match in Puebla due to the same chants. During the Round of 16 match in Mexico City, the incidents repeated themselves.

Mexico wins – quarterfinal in the USA

The match itself ended successfully from a Mexican perspective. Mexico won the Round of 16 against Ecuador 2-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals. Mexico will play in Mexico City on Sunday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

However, the knockout round from the quarterfinals onward will no longer take place in Mexico: the last eight matches of the tournament will be played exclusively in the United States. Organizers therefore face the challenge of securing the fan fests in Monterrey and other Mexican venues better at short notice.