The Mexican Under-17 team achieved a valuable victory by a narrow margin over Paraguay this Wednesday to surprisingly advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Morocco where they will face the powerful Italian squad In search of a historic ticket to the semifinals.

With a goal from Berenice Ibarra, the Mexican team overcame an enthusiastic and hard-working Paraguayan side, which, as the game progressed, was outplayed by the Aztec squad with several flashes of brilliance that ultimately proved enough to defeat the South American team.

Now Mexico faces Italy in its next match, seeking a potential ticket to the World Cup semifinals in the African nation where the Italians secured their place to face the Mexicans thanks to a resounding 4-0 victory over Nigeria.

The match

From the opening minutes, the Mexican team controlled the game, and as time went on, dangerous opportunities arose, such as in the 12th minute when, on a free kick, Citlali Reyes sent a cross into the box, where Stack almost surprised everyone with a header that went just wide. But Mexico wouldn't be left wanting, and four minutes later Valeria Alvarado took a corner kick to the far post, where Berenice Ibarra appeared behind the defense to head the ball across goal and beat the reigning champions. The Mexicans continued to press, and in the 21st minute, Ava Stack played the ball out and entered the area, leaving her marker behind, but just as the crowd was chanting for a goal, her shot went just wide, sparing the Paraguayans. But it was clear that Paraguay was looking to take control of the scoreboard to implement their tactical plan of tight marking in defense and long passes forward to generate counter-attacks that could give them the advantage. The Mexicans were able to detect this plan of their opponents and dominated the first 45 minutes.But they could barely capitalize, scoring a goal that left the game hanging in the balance, with the Aztecs at the mercy of a mistake or a stroke of luck from the Paraguayans.

More even, but Mexico came out on top

In the second half, things were more balanced, and thanks to Claudia Martinez, the Paraguayans had chances to tie the game, but Mexico's goalkeeper, Valentina Murrieta, was key to maintaining the scoreline during the most crucial moments.

But the America goalkeeper enhanced her reputation by stopping chances like a Paraguayan bicycle kick in the 54th minute with the worst intentions, and then in the 75th minute when Claudia Martinez, once again using her speed, faced the Mexican goalkeeper and suddenly fell to the ground in the area, forcing the referee to check VAR, but without awarding a penalty because the play by the Mexican defense was clean.

Near the end, Ibarra faced Claudia Martinez again in A one-on-one situation arose, and when the Paraguayan player attempted to nutmeg the Mexican goalkeeper in the 84th minute, the goalkeeper managed to stop the shot and preserve the victory. Mexico, for its part, with Reyes taking some very dangerous shots, came close to making it 2-0 when her shot hit the crossbar, only to be deflected by the Paraguayan goalkeeper with her fingernails. But it was clear that the suffering and anguish of the Mexican team would last until the very end, after almost 12 minutes of added time, which forced the Aztec eleven to withstand the pressure from the South Americans who never gave up.

Mexico, for its part, with Reyes taking some very dangerous shots, came close to making it 2-0 when the ball hit the crossbar, which the Paraguayan goalkeeper managed to deflect with her fingernails.

But it was clear that the suffering and anguish of the Mexican team would last until the very end, after almost 12 minutes of added time, which forced the Aztec eleven to withstand the pressure from the South Americans who never gave up.