In Mexico, the phrase ya merito (“almost there”) resonates deeply with the men’s national football team, reflecting a history of near misses. As Mexico prepares for their knockout stage match against Ecuador on Tuesday, anxiety looms over their long-standing pattern of falling short in the World Cup.

Since 1994, Mexico has reached the knockout rounds but consistently exited in the first stage. The only exception was in Qatar, where they failed to progress from the groups. The last time Mexico reached the elusive “fifth game” was during their quarter-final run in 1986, coinciding with the World Cup hosted on home soil.

The upcoming match at the iconic Azteca Stadium sees Ecuador arriving off a notable 2-1 victory against Germany, showcasing their formidable squad, including stars like Willian Pacho from PSG, Piero Hincapié of Arsenal, and Moisés Caicedo from Chelsea. On paper, Ecuador appears stronger, but Mexico boasts an impressive record of three wins from three matches in this tournament, marking their best World Cup group stage performance ever.

Yet, the question remains: can Mexico’s early success translate into knockout stage resilience? Football analyst Jorge Valdano highlights the psychological barrier that haunts the team, emphasizing the need for confidence to overcome the fear of another early exit.

Javier Cruz, a veteran from the 1986 World Cup, advises that Mexico’s winning streak could foster a winning mentality among players. Coach Javier Aguirre, who has faced knockout challenges before, stresses a process-oriented approach, focusing on taking each match step by step. He believes this new generation of players is more self-assured and less intimidated by pressure.

As Mexico gears up for this pivotal clash, the nation balances hope and skepticism, encapsulated in a viral sentiment: “I know it won’t happen, but what if it does?” The time has come for El Tri to transform “almost there” into a reality.