Mexico still alive in U-20 World Cup

Mexico are back in business in the Fifa U-20 World Cup after a stunning 2-1 victory over South American counterparts Uruguay in Dunedin on Wednesday.

Having suffered a shock loss to Mali in their opening match, Mexico needed to get on the board to stay in contention in Group D – and with a sensational free kick one minute from time, they came out on top.

When Guillermo Martinez was dragged down on the edge of the box in the 91st minute, Uruguay’s Erick Cabaco was given his marching orders for his second yellow card. With the scores level at 1-1, up stepped Kevin Gutierrez, and his beautifully executed chip over the wall went into the top right corner, bouncing in off the crossbar.

Goals were seemingly at a premium, despite the pristine conditions under the roof at Otago Stadium. The best chance of the first half fell Uruguay’s way when Mexico goalkeeper Jose Gonzalez made an absolute meal of a back pass and duffed the clearance. However, Franco Acosta put his shot wide.

It took 71 minutes for the game’s first goal, and it came Mexico’s way when Hirving Lozano broke down the rightflank, caught the Uruguayan defence out, cut inside and produced a good low, left-foot finish.

The Mexicans almost doubled their lead just seven minutes later, but their momentum was cut to pieces when Uruguay snuck in an 83rd-minute equaliser by Mathias Suarez.