Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, 17, makes history by starting a World Cup knockout match, a record only achieved by Pelé. Coverage highlights that Mora is also the youngest Mexican to play in a World Cup match and the youngest to start two matches for his country. In Mexico’s Round of 16 tie against Ecuador, the team wins 2-0 and ends a four-decade wait for a knockout victory. Mexico’s goals come from Quiñones and Jiménez, securing the team’s place in the next stage. Multiple reports attribute the milestone to Mexico manager Javier Aguirre’s decision to start Mora, framing it as a rare vote of confidence for a teenager at the tournament’s critical stage. The combined accounts agree that Mexico’s performance in the match and Mora’s record-setting starts stand out, with the result delivering a historic World Cup moment for the national team.