Wednesday's 2-0 win over Ecuador marked Mexico's first World Cup knockout-stage victory since it last hosted the tournament in 1986, when Aguirre was a player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 67-year-old managed the Mexico teams that were eliminated in the first knockout round at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It means a lot to me; I was never able to play that fifth match. It happened in South Korea and Japan [in 2002] and in South Africa [in 2010]. We had good group stages, but we couldn't move forward,\" Aguirre said in a press conference as quoted by Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Aguirre praised his players' unity after first-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez sealed Mexico's fourth straight win of the tournament without conceding.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I can tell you that this team deserves what is happening,\" he said. \"There is a special connection with the fans and the privilege of playing a World Cup at home,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Today we're among the last 16, and we've been together for a long time. We're very happy and highly focused. We're a true family, and that's difficult to find in football. The players, the coaching staff and everyone working behind the scenes. There is a lot of unity,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mexico's next opponent will be the winner of Wednesday's round of 32 match between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Today we're among the last 16, and we've been together for a long time. We're very happy and highly focused. We're a true family, and that's difficult to find in football. The players, the coaching staff and everyone working behind the scenes. There is a lot of unity,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We'll watch the match [between England and DR Congo] and recover as best we can between now and Sunday. We'll keep our spirits up during the week and do our best to play another good match,\" he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n