A star-studded England edged Mexico in a five-goal thriller in their second Group F clash to continue their flying start to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The 3-2 win seals their place in the round of 16.
Rhian Brewster scored the only goal of the first half with a brilliant free-kick to give England the lead. After Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho added two more, it looked like England would cruise to yet another easy victory, but Mexico did not give in so easily.
Diego Lainez of Mexico then scored a brace to give Mexico hope, but it proved to be road too far.
Going into the game on the back of a 4-0 thumping of Chile in their previous game, England were looking to seal their place in the next round by upsetting the two-time champion today.
England retained their starting XI while Mexico made one change – Luis Olivas was in for Alan Maeda in defence. The Three Lions dominated play for most of the first half.
England’s Rhian Brewster missed a sitter in front of goal in the sixth minute. When a low cross was swung in from Jadon Sancho for him in front of the open goal, he hit it over. Two minutes later, he did put the ball in the back of the net only for it to be flagged offside.
England dominated first quarter of the game, but Mexico looked dangerous on the counter attack. Attacking trio of Diego Lainez, Roberto de la Rosa and Jairo Torres came close on several occasions.
England finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Brewster made amends for his earlier miss, by finding the top corner after Mexico conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal. All was forgiven for his earlier misses with this goal-of-the-tournament contender.
At halftime, Callum Hudson-Odoi was replaced by Angel Gomes for England, one of the scorers in the first game. Phil Foden, who had a brilliant game with some slick passing, got his name on the scoresheet in the 48th minute with a powerful shot, assisted by Jadon Sancho.
To make things worse for Mexico, they conceded a 54th minute penalty when captain Carlos Robles handled Sancho’s cross in the box.
Sancho coolly slotted it home from the spot, taking the game away from a stunned Mexico. But Mexico pressed and did not sit back, unlike what Chile did in the previous game.
Mexico pulled one back in the minute after a Deigo Lainez shot took a big deflection off England captain Joel Latibeaudiere. The goal infused some life, and hope, in the Mexican side which looked feeble until the goal.
The Europeans were bombarded by the Mexican attackers who were running at the English defence fearlessly, forcing them to pull back.
Diego Lainez scored once again in the 70th minute to leave England stunned. Just like Mexico coach Arteaga said, the team attacked with all their might to expose the untested English defence. The goal fired them up and rattled the English side.
But, as much as Mexico tried, they could not find the equalizer. Gutierrez, Roberto de la Rosa and Jairo Torres came close to scoring several times but couldn’t find the net.
As the full time whistle went, England players heaved a sigh of relief for having withstood the Mexican comeback to take three full points. It leaves them on top of the table, while Mexico will go into their final game against Chile with everything to play for.
After the game, the Mexico coach Mario Arteaga lauded his team’s fighting spirit, but admitted that the two goals were too little too late.
He spoke highly of striker Lainez, who has often been dubbed the ‘Mexican Messi’. “It was a really important game for him. He got two chances last time but could not convert. This time he was able to score and that has boosted his confidence for the next game. He is definitely an important player for us,” said Arteaga.
England manager Steve Cooper said he was pleased with the side going 3-0 up against a strong team like Mexico, but that the two goals his team conceded were learning opportunities.
“Set pieces are always important in tournament football and we are working hard on them,” he said about his team scoring two free kick goals in two games.
“We’re in a really tough group, a group with a variety of opposition, so it is a great experience for my players.”
A lot has been said about Jadon Sancho, who continues his stunning run of form and will leave the team after the group stage, according to an agreement with his club. But Cooper insists that losing him will not affect the team’s performance. “He’s a good player, but we’re not about one player. We’re not thinking past the group stage at the moment as we have a tough game against Iraq up next.”
“It’s a luxury to have qualified after two games, but the group stage is not over yet,” he concluded.
