KOLKATA, India -- England (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) jumped out to a three-goal lead and held on to defeat Mexico (0-1-1, 1), 3-2, in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup on Wednesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
With the result, the English finished the evening atop the Group F table on maximum points from their first two games and has qualified for the Round of 16, while Mexico occupies third place.
Rhian Brewster struck for the first goal in the 39th minute, when he struck off a right-footed free kick from 25-yards out.
A well-worked play that concluded with Philip Foden finishing from 17-yards out put England ahead 2-0 in the 48th, while Jadon Sancho extended the lead seven minutes later by converting a penalty kick.
Mexico then staged a furious comeback as Diego Lainez struck for a pair of goals.
The 17-year-old midfielder saw his deflected effort from 23 yards find the right side of the net in the 65th minute.
In the 72nd minute, Lainez pulled the CONCACAF champion to within one goal, when he jabbed a left-footed shot unexpectedly past goalkeeper Curtis Anderson through traffic from 12 yards, but that’s where the rally ended.
Up Next: Mexico returns to action Saturday against Chile (0-0-2, 0) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
