As the FIFA U-17 World Cup gets closer to the finals, Mexico continues to fulfill expectations and make everyone back home proud. El Mini Tri just defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the quarterfinals, eliminating the last South American team in the tournament, and getting closer to their third World Title in the division.
It’s no secret that Mexico is a superpower in the U-17 tournaments. With two World Titles and one second place win, El Tricolor ranks fourth in the list of maximum winners of the tournament; if the statistic only counted tournaments in the last 10 years, they would be second. It goes without saying that Mexican fans are proud of their U-17 squad, and showed it through social media.
Mexico has already defeated Argentina, European Cup runners-up Germany, host team Chile, and a strong Ecuador, which was coming from destroying Russia. They’ll have their toughest test to date when they face tournament favorites Nigeria, who just defeated South American Champions Brazil 3-0.
Nigeria also defeated Australia (which Mexico tied) 6-0 in the second round, so El Mini Tri will have to show character if they want to win their third title. Nigeria beat Mexico in the 2013 U-17 World Cup Final, so there’s no doubt they’ve got the power to do it again.
On the other Semifinal key, Mali will be playing against the winner of the game between Costa Rica and Belgium, so the first World Cup Final between CONCACAF teams could actually happen.