MEDELLIN, Colombia (AP) ― Mexico defeated North Korea 3-0 on Monday in the U20 World Cup, taking a big step toward reaching the knockout stage.
Mexico went ahead via a North Korea own-goal in first-half stoppage time, and made it 2-0 from Taufic Guarch’s 30-meter strike in the 54th minute. Diego De Buen scored the final goal from a free kick in second-half stoppage time.
Mexico has three points from two matches and North Korea has one point from its opening draw with England.
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North Korean players react after losing to Mexico. (AP-Yonhap News) |
Mexico faces England on Thursday in Cartegena in its final Group F game, while North Korea plays Argentina in Medellin. The top two teams in each group advance automatically and are joined in the knock-out stage by the four best third-place teams.
Argentina defeated Mexico 1-0 in the first group match and North Korea had a 0-0 draw with England.
Mexico had all the chances and hit the crossbar in the first half, but wound up going ahead on an own-goal in stoppage time by North Korean Ri Yong-chol. The play unfolded as Ulises Davila and Guarch attacked near the goal. A North Korea defender tried to clear the ball and instead kicked it at Ri, with the rebound bouncing in behind keeper Om Jin-song.
Mexico had 63 percent of the possession in the first half with 14 shots to 1 for North Korea, and the second half was similar.
Mexico made it 2-0 in the 54th on a 30-meter strike by Guarch.
