The U-17 World Cup in Qatar is heating up as the Round of 16 approaches. Sixteen teams are vying for the prestigious title. Notably, Argentina and Germany faced early exits in the previous round. The tournament proved challenging for South American nations, as Venezuela, Colombia, Paraguay, Canada, and the United States also departed early.
Brazil and Mexico stand out as the remaining representatives from the Americas. Brazil, with its rich football heritage, is the second most successful nation in U-17 World Cup history. Mexico, however, has made headlines with its unexpected journey. The Mexican team, a two-time champion, narrowly advanced through the group stage thanks to “fair play” qualification.
Mexico’s Remarkable Journey
Mexico’s road to the Round of 16 was dramatic. In their opening knockout match, they faced Argentina, which was a dominant force prior to the match. After a lackluster first half, Mexico was trailing 1-0. However, they mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, turning the game around to finish 2-1. A penalty shootout followed, where Mexico’s goalkeeper transformed from a villain to a hero, securing their place in the next round.
Matchup Against Portugal
In the next challenge, Mexico will take on Portugal, another strong contender in the tournament. Portugal has shown significant prowess, having scored six goals in victories over New Caledonia (6-1) and Morocco (6-0) in their initial matches. Although they faced a setback against Japan, Portugal demonstrated resilience by defeating Belgium 2-1 in the Round of 16, with Anisio Cabral as the standout performer, scoring both goals.
Upcoming Matches
The following matches are scheduled for the tournament:
- Mexico vs. Portugal
Time: 9:45 a.m. Miami / 8:45 a.m. Mexico City / 11:45 a.m. Buenos Aires / 3:45 p.m. Madrid - Switzerland vs. Ireland
Time: 9:45 a.m. Miami / 8:45 a.m. Mexico City - Marruecos vs. Mali
Time: 10:45 a.m. Miami / 9:45 a.m. Mexico City - Brazil vs. France
Time: 8:30 a.m. Miami / 7:30 a.m. Mexico City - Austria vs. England
Time: 10:45 a.m. Miami / 9:45 a.m. Mexico City - North Korea vs. Japan
Time: 10:15 a.m. Miami / 9:15 a.m. Mexico City - Italy vs. Uzbekistan
Time: 7:30 a.m. Miami / 6:30 a.m. Mexico City - Uganda vs. Burkina Faso
Time: 7:30 a.m. Miami / 6:30 a.m. Mexico City
Stay tuned as these exciting matches unfold in the U-17 World Cup, showcasing the future stars of football.
