THREE people have died in Mexico City after fans took to the streets to celebrate the team’s qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup.

Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday night.

The official account of the secretary of public health in Mexico City confirmed a 44-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 48-year-old woman had died from asphyxiation, all close to Paseo de la Reforma in the centre of the city.

Clara Brugada, the head of government in Mexico City, wrote on her X account: “As reported by @SSaludCdMx, the emergency teams of Mexico City immediately attended to the report of three unconscious individuals at different points near Paseo de la Reforma. All medical response protocols were activated; however, sadly, they lost their lives.

“We are in contact with their families to provide them with all the necessary support and accompaniment.

“With my heart in my hand, I send a hug and my most sincere condolences to their loved ones. We reiterate the call to always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy.”

The match itself was overshadowed by a handful of Mexico fans after they were heard using a homophobic slur against an Ecuador player in the first half of the game.

The chant, a one-word slur that means male prostitute in Spanish, usually occurs when the opposing goalkeeper is taking a goal kick.

The fans did it at the five-minute mark when Hernan Galindez was doing his first goal kick of the match.

It is the second time in the tournament that fans used the chant, which has cost the Mexican Federation several fines by Fifa.

The chant originated during a match between Mexico and the United States in an Olympic Games qualifying tournament held in Guadalajara, but it went viral at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.