At least two people have died during mass celebrations in Mexico City after the Mexican national team secured a place in the FIFA World Cup round of 16, according to local authorities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the city’s health ministry said a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died from asphyxiation during Wednesday’s celebrations.
Authorities have not confirmed reports by local media that a third person also died.
The celebrations followed Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador, a result that ended the country’s 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout-stage win and sent the tournament co-hosts into the last 16.
More than one million people gathered across Mexico City, with the largest crowds assembling around the Angel of Independence monument, according to estimates by the city government.
In Tuesday’s match, Julian Quiñones put Mexico ahead midway through the first half with a powerful strike before setting up Raúl Jiménez to seal the victory.
The win marked Mexico’s first triumph in a World Cup knockout match since 1986, when the country last hosted the tournament.
Mexico will now face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca.
The co-hosts have now gone unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the iconic venue and head into the knockout stage with growing confidence.
Mexico were also one of only three teams to win all three of their group-stage matches, alongside France and Argentina, while keeping a perfect defensive record without conceding a goal.
