A crowd of Mexican supporters gathered outside the Ecuadorian team hotel in Mexico City on the eve of the World Cup match, unleashing a barrage of sound that cut through the night.
The ritual of serenade
The disturbance, which included loudspeakers, car horns and the revving of motorcycles, is part of a long‑standing tradition in parts of Latin American football where rival fans serenade visiting squads in an effort to unsettle them.
For Ecuador, the episode formed part of a broader set of challenges. After a delayed departure from Columbus, Ohio, the squad touched down at Felipe Ángeles International Airport, a 65‑kilometre journey that was slowed by heavy traffic and sudden rain.
Coach Sebastián Beccacece acknowledged the chaos but said the team remained focused, describing the players as “excited” despite the setbacks. The coach also highlighted the decision to adopt a last‑minute arrival strategy to lessen the impact of Mexico City’s high altitude.
Sports scientists have long warned that altitude can impair performance, recommending either an extended acclimatization period or a “fly‑in, fly‑out” approach for high‑stakes matches. Ecuador’s management opted for the latter, hoping to limit exposure to the thin air.
The hotel itself, a Westin property, became the epicenter of the noise, its lobby and corridors echoing with the fans’ chants. While the tactic is polarizing — some view it as a harmless ritual, others as an unfair psychological weapon — it underscores the intense atmosphere that surrounds World Cup gatherings.