Ecuadorian Willian Pacho, right, competes for the ball with Mexican Gilberto Moura. (AP photo)
Young prodigy Gilberto Moura etched his name into FIFA World Cup history after becoming the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match, as Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a knockout win with a thumping 2-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 32.At the age of 17 years and 259 days, Moura joined an exclusive list headed only by Brazilian legend Pele, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he started in the famous 1958 World Cup quarter-final match against Wales. The teenager played a key role in Mexico’s active opening period, as the host nation dominated Ecuador before goals from Julián Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured their place in the last 16.
Moura joins Pele in exclusive World Cup history
Moura didn’t waste much time announcing himself on the biggest stage.
The youngster threatened twice in the first 15 minutes as Mexico emerged from the barriers after kick-off was delayed by an hour due to bad weather.According to FIFA, Moura is now the second 17-year-old to start a World Cup knockout stage match after Pele’s famous debut for Brazil in 1958.The midfielder had already broken another national record earlier in the tournament when he became Mexico’s youngest ever starter at a World Cup, underscoring why he is considered one of the country’s brightest young talents.
Mora’s rise has been remarkable. The Tijuana midfielder became the youngest player to debut and score in the Mexican Primera Division at 15 years old, and later became the youngest player to represent the senior national team at just 16 years old.
Mexico finally ends its four-decade knockout curse
While Moura made headlines with his record, Mexico celebrated a similarly historic team achievement.Quinones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, running on a perfectly timed through ball before curling an unstoppable shot past Hernan Galindez. After just nine minutes, the striker turned playmaker by setting up Jimenez to double Mexico’s lead.Mexico maintained its lead easily in the second half, as defenders Cesar Montes and Johan Vazquez controlled the defense line wonderfully, with goalkeeper Raul Rangel completing his fourth clean sheet in a row in the tournament.The win was El Tri’s first World Cup knockout win since beating Bulgaria in 1986, also 2-0, ending one of the longest unwanted run in the tournament’s history.Mexico will now face the winner of the England-DR Congo clash in the round of 32, with confidence high after ending their 40-year drought with a knockout.
