Mexico delivered a commanding performance at the Estadio Azteca to beat Ecuador and advance to the last 16 of the World Cup — and their fans are already eyeing a potential showdown with England.

Four games into this tournament, Mexico have recorded four wins, scored eight goals, and have yet to concede a single one. That kind of form, combined with the fortress-like atmosphere of their home stadium, has supporters daring to dream far beyond the quarter-finals — the furthest the side has ever gone at a World Cup.

Fans dream of the impossible

England face DR Congo in their last-32 tie later on Wednesday, and if they come through that, a trip to Mexico City could await. For many England supporters, that prospect is a daunting one.

"England have the Ballon d'Or favourite Harry Kane leading that team," one Mexico fan said. "You have players like Jude Bellingham, and it is scary, but with the momentum we have there is the chance to do the impossible."

Mexico's competitive record at the Azteca makes sobering reading for any would-be opponent: 69 wins from 88 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the venue.

Former Australia and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking on ITV, captured the scale of the challenge facing whoever meets Mexico next. "If it will be England going down to Mexico, it's going to be like stepping into a different World Cup for them," he said.

A night of electricity in Mexico City

Even the weather seemed to conspire to build the drama, as lightning lit up a rain-soaked sky and delayed kick-off by an hour. When the match finally began, Mexico wasted no time.

Julian Quinones opened the scoring with a blistering strike before Raul Jimenez doubled the advantage, and the tie was effectively settled before half-time.

The full-time whistle triggered celebrations across the country and beyond. In Los Angeles — home to a vast Mexican community — fireworks lit up the sky as thousands gathered at a downtown watch party.

"This is by far the best performance we have seen from the Mexican team in a long time. It is a great year to be Mexican and a great year to see the World Cup," one fan told BBC World Service.

The players to watch

Wolves striker Jimenez will be a familiar name to most football fans, but Quinones has announced himself as one of the tournament's standout performers. The 29-year-old, who plays for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, has now scored three goals in four games.

Mexico also boast one of the most exciting teenagers at this World Cup in Gilberto Mora. At 17 years and 259 days old, he became the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match — behind only Pelé, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he did so in 1958.

Defensively, Mexico have been equally impressive. Opponents have managed just six shots on target 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. It will be a daunting task."

The curse of the quinto partido

Despite the euphoria, one shadow lingers over Mexico's campaign — the notorious quinto partido, or fifth game. In every World Cup from the tournament they hosted in 1986 through to 2018, Mexico were eliminated at the fifth-game stage without exception.

Hosting duties in 1970 and 1986 helped them reach the quarter-finals on both occasions, but breaking that fifth-game curse has eluded them ever since. Should they find a way past their last-16 opponents, the belief in this Mexico squad — and among their millions of fans — will become something truly formidable.