CARIACICA, Brazil – A second half goal from Ali Avila earned Mexico a 1-0 win over South Korea in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup on Sunday at the Estadio Kleber Andrade in Cariacica, Brazil.
With the victory, Mexico have advanced to the semifinals where they will face the Netherlands on Thursday in Gama.
El Tricolor came out strong and Santiago Munoz nearly tallied early with a curling right-footed shot that barely missed wide in the 6’. That was followed by a Brian Gonzalez header in the 16’ off a corner kick that flew over the crossbar.
However, the best chance of the first half came off the left foot of Alejandro Gomez, whose free kick in the 41’ thundered off the crossbar.
Mexico continued plugging away and their efforts would finally pay off the in the 77’. Jose Ruiz gathered a pass on the right wing and looped a cross into the area that Avila rose to meet with a header for a 1-0 Mexico lead.
GK Eduardo Garcia also played a big hand, as his save on a South Korea header just a few yards out in the 85’ helped secure Mexico the clean sheet victory.
