PHOTO: REUTERS

STAR SPORTS DESK

Mexico and Ecuador lock horns for a place in the last 16 in the Azteca Stadium, with the match kicking off at 7:00 am Bangladesh time.

Co-hosts Mexico breezed through Group A, beating Czechia 3-0 after overcoming South Africa and South Korea without conceding a single goal. Their defensive record has been the defining feature of their tournament, giving Javier Aguirre’s side a platform as they prepare for another high-pressure match against Ecuador.

This is the first time since 1986 -- when they last hosted the competition -- that Mexico have gone without conceding a goal in three consecutive World Cup matches. They have never kept four clean sheets in a row in a single edition.

Their impressive start has added to a strong record in front of their own fans in the World Cup, having lost just one of their 12 matches -- a 4-1 loss to Italy in the 1970 quarterfinals.

In the nine previous times Mexico have reached the knockout rounds, they have progressed just once: in a last-16 tie against Bulgaria in 1986 -- a match that also took place at the Azteca.

On the other hand, Ecuador made the last 32 the hard way, recovering from a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast by drawing 0-0 against Curacao before reviving their campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Germany in Group E.

For Ecuador, managing the atmosphere may be as important as breaking down Mexico’s defence. An early breakthrough would force the hosts into unfamiliar territory at this tournament.

The South American side had featured in the knockout stages of the World Cup only once, and that too ending in 2-1 loss to England in the last 16 in 2006. The two countries have met 25 times, with Mexico winning 14 including a 2–1 victory in their only previous World Cup encounter in 2002.