Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora put in a stunning performance in his country’s knockout triumph over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32.
Mora also became the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout game after he took to the field for El Tri’s last-32 tie against Ecuador at the age of just 17 years and 259 days old – 20 days older than Pele was when the Brazilian legend featured at the 1958 tournament.
Mora is also Mexico’s youngest-ever men’s World Cup player when he came on in the opening win over South Africa, with his cameo aged just 17 years and 240 days old beating a 96-year record set by Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas in 1930.
It is certainly a record-breaking start for the youngster, who plays his club football for Liga MX club Tijuana and is regarded as Mexican football’s brightest emerging talent.
His start against Ecuador was just his fifth in a Mexico shirt. He has only registered one assist in his previous appearances, though his performance in a 72-minute cameo against the Czech Republic was enough for El Tri manager Javier Aguirre to make the bold decision to start him.
It was a decision that almost paid off straight away at the Azteca Stadium, with the youngster blasting an effort over from distance and then sending a superb curled effort a whisker wide of the far post, both within the opening 16 minutes.
Yet Mexico secured a comfortable 2-0 win after a dominant performance.
