Mexico U-17 Survives a Tough Group Stage and Will Play the Round of 32

The Mexican U-17 men’s national team secured a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Round of 32 after a rollercoaster group stage.

Despite losses to South Korea and Switzerland, El Tri stayed alive thanks to a crucial win over the Ivory Coast. Now, a major challenge awaits: a knockout clash against powerhouse Argentina that promises high tension and excitement.

Mexico 1–2 South Korea

Mexico’s World Cup debut proved challenging against a disciplined South Korean side. The Asian team took an early lead after a defensive lapse, but Mexico responded with determination.

Forward Aldo Patricio De Nigris leveled the match with a superb header following a perfectly placed cross from the right wing.

The second half remained balanced until South Korea found the winning goal on a counterattack, sealing Mexico’s narrow 2–1 defeat. Despite the loss, the Mexican team showed glimpses of solid play and emerging individual talent, particularly from De Nigris, who stood out as a key attacking figure.

Mexico 1–0 Ivory Coast

In their second outing, Mexico displayed a much-improved performance. Chabrand’s men controlled possession, maintained their defensive shape, and showed patience in buildup play. The winning goal came in the first half after a smart combination inside the box that ended with a composed finish.

For the remainder of the match, Mexico managed the tempo and neutralized the Ivory Coast’s physical power. The 1–0 victory was a turning point that restored confidence and kept the team’s qualification hopes alive heading into the final group game.

Mexico 1–3 Switzerland

The decisive third match didn’t go Mexico’s way. Despite opening the scoring with a well-executed set piece, Switzerland quickly equalized and then took control of the game. Their precision in attack and compact defensive lines proved too much for the Mexican defense.

Two second-half goals from the Swiss sealed Mexico’s 3–1 loss. Still, El Tri managed to advance to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, finishing with three points and showing resilience under pressure.

Next Challenge: Argentina

Mexico will face Argentina U-17 on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. (Mexico City time) in Al Rayyan, Qatar. It will be a thrilling duel between two traditional football nations and a test of Mexico’s growth after a tough group stage.

Mexico’s journey so far has been marked by ups and downs, but also by heart and determination. Advancing from a difficult group shows the team’s fighting spirit. Now, with Argentina as their next opponent, El Tri must raise their game to continue their World Cup dream.

Do you think Mexico has what it takes to overcome Argentina and reach the Round of 16 at the U-17 World Cup?

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