MEXICO CITY – Four people died during late-night street celebrations in Mexico City following Mexico's victory over Ecuador in their first World Cup knockout match in 40 years. The city government reported that around a million people had gathered along Paseo de la Reforma, the capital's main central avenue, to watch the match on giant screens.

Mexico City's department of health stated that emergency teams attended to three unconscious individuals at different locations along the boulevard. A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of suffocation despite advanced resuscitation efforts. A 48-year-old woman later died in hospital, also from asphyxiation. Authorities subsequently reported a fourth fatality, a man in his 30s hospitalized with severe seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Local newspaper El Universal reported that the deadly crowd crush was triggered by pyrotechnics, causing panic and leading to people running, falling, and being trampled. The tragedy followed growing crowds with each Mexican victory as the country hosts the World Cup for the first time since 1986, jointly with the US and Canada.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the Attorney General's office would investigate the incident and assess whether changes are needed ahead of Mexico's upcoming last-16 match against England.

Sheinbaum also commented, "I don't agree with excessive celebrations. You can't let it affect others. Freedom has its limits, and those limits are where another person's freedom begins."

In the US, Mexico fans also celebrated at watch parties, including one in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.

Sources