Abu Dhabi: Defending champions Mexico swept into the final of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup after overcoming nine-man Argentina 3-0 at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
Two first-half goals from Ivan Ochoa and another four minutes from time from Marco Granados ensured Mexico’s comfortable route into the final, but they were helped by a missed penalty and two sendings off.
Both Joaquin Ibanez and goalkeeper Augusto Batalla received straight red cards for Argentina, who could have changed the tone of the match if they had converted a first-minute penalty.
Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi had no hesitation in pointing to the spot after Solomon Wbias clumsily hacked down Argentina talisman Sebastian Driussi.
But Driussi was denied from the spot by a superb save from Mexico goalkeeper Raul Gudino.
Mexico then rubbed salt in their opponents’ wounds when Wbias made amends for his earlier error by flicking on a corner-kick to Ivan Ochoa, who slotted home at the back post.
Then, 16 minutes later, fired home his and Mexico’s second after taking advantage of Argentina’s vulnerability down the left-hand side.
Things got even worse for Argentina when their top scorer Joaquin Ibanez received a straight red card for deliberately stepping upon Omar Govea in the 31st minute.
From then on, Mexico controlled the game totally and played like the champions they are.
Their individual ability was on full display and they hit Argentina on the counter-attack time and time again.
They sealed their win in style when Govea sent Marco Granados galloping clear to score a third goal, putting them on course to defend the title they won in 2011 on home soil.
Argentina’s misery was complete when goalkeeper Batalla was also shown a red card when he raced outside of his box to bring down Christian Tovar, who had led a fast counter attack and was on his way to add a fourth goal in the first minute of injury time.
Both Batalla and Ibanez will miss the third-place match on Friday.
