Mexico Edges Paraguay, Sets Up Quarter-Final Showdown with Italy

Mexico emerged triumphant in the battle of the Americas as they edged past Paraguay to set up a quarter-final clash with Italy.

El Tricolor took the lead when Berenice Ibarra expertly headed a Valeria Alvarado corner downwards and into the net. Moments later, forward Ava Stack came close with a powerful effort which was well saved by Paraguay goalkeeper Tamara Amarilla.

Ibarra almost scored again in the 62nd minute when she utilised the swirling wind to strike a deep free-kick on target but Amarilla read it well and tipped the ball onto the crossbar. Claudia Martinez came close to finding a late leveller for Paraguay in the 85th minute after a brilliant individual run but she struck the ball straight at Valentina Murrieta.

Quotes
“We set out to take it step by step, and I think today we did well to manage the last 16 and are now in the next round, which makes me very happy. It was difficult, and also because of the stage we’re at, where it’s just a single match. I feel that after we took the lead, we were too concerned with keeping a clean sheet, and I think that cost us a little in terms of our organisation and we stopped creating chances up front.”
Miguel Gamero, Mexico coach

“Our first half was very bad. We have been coaching Paraguay since January and haven’t played like this before, but of course, they are under-17s and it happens – we’re now also seeing the two best teams going home, Spain and USA, and that’s a symbol for this type of knockout stage, this completely crazy game. So I think the first half was disappointing from us and in the second half we improved a little bit.”
Luiz Almeida, Paraguay coach