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GUATEMALA CITY - Long-distance strikes by Kristian Alvarez, Diego De Buen and Jorge Mora gave Mexico a 3-0 victory over Canada on Tuesday and returned El Tri to the Under-20 World Cup.
Alvarez's goal in the 33rd minute, De Buen's in the 72nd and Mora's in the second minute of second-half injury time sent Mexico to Friday's semifinals of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and earned El Tri a place in the world championship for a 12th time after failing to make the knockout round in 2009 confederation finals.
Mexico next plays Honduras or Panama, who are scheduled to play Wednesday.
Canada was denied a berth in the World Cup for the second straight time after qualifying in four consecutive attempts until the streak was halted in 2009.
Alvarez launched a right-footed effort from the near the bench touchline that floated toward the far post. Canadian goalkeeper Julien Latendresse-Levesque, who had drifted five meters off his line, took a step back, but acted like it was sailing high until it was too late, and by then didn't even make an attempt to block it.
De Buen didn't nearly match Alvarez's strike in distance, but was just as spectacular. Canadian defender attempted a clearance attempt over his head from inside the penalty area while facing the goal.
However the ball only lofted 30 meters from the Canadian net, and De Buen raced in from midfield to volley the ball as it fell and drove an arcing strike past the outstretched right arm of Latendresse-Levesque.
Mora completed the one-sided affair, having time to settle a square ball a few steps beyond the penalty arc before blasting a left-footed shot past Latendresse-Lavesque.
Like its two group matches, Mexico dominated play and didn't allow Canada a shot until the 47th minute.
Until his gaffe, Latendresse-Levesque was very active and frustrated Mexico on several chances, including blocking Taufic Guarch with his feet after the Mexican forward was sent in alone on a through ball by Alan Pulido in the 18th.
He twice slapped crosses out of danger in the 23rd and 24th minutes and made a one-handed grab at his right post on a on a header by Pulido in the 21st.
He thwarted Pulido again in the 83rd to keep Mexico from adding to its lead.
The victory was Mexico's third straight without allowing a goal, outscoring its opponents 11-0. It moved within two wins of an 11th CONCACAF crown and first since 1992.
