GOA, India – Iran earned a spot in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup quarterfinals, scoring two early goals and holding on for a 2-1 win over Mexico on Tuesday at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Round of 16 encounter was only seven minutes old, when Iran’s Mohammad Sharifi converted a penalty after Mohammad Ghaderi was fouled in the box by Adrian Vasquez.
Four minutes later, Allahyar Sayyad doubled the advantage, chipping over goalkeeper Cesar Lopez from 20-yards out with his right off a long ball from goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh.
Mexico pulled to within one goal in the 37th minute as Roberto de la Rosa fired in from 17 yards after Gholam Zadeh punched away Diego Lainez’s initial shot.
In 68th minute, the CONCACAF champion nearly equalized, only for Jairo Torres’ left-sided free kick to hit the near post.
For the first time in its last four attempts, Mexico – the champion in 2005 and 20111 -- did not progress beyond the Round of 16.
