Gilberto Mora Makes Script History, Becomes Youngest To Play In World Cup Knockouts Since Pelé

Ecuador’s Willian Pacho, right, competes for the ball with Mexico’s Gilberto Mora. (AP photo) Teenage prodigy Gilberto Mora etched his name in World Cup history after becoming the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match as Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a knockout victory with a commanding 2-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 32.At 17 years and 259 days, Mora joined an exclusive list topped only by Brazilian legend Pelé, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he started Brazil’s famous 1958 World Cup quarter-final against Wales. The teenage sensation played a key role in Mexico’s energetic opening spell as the co-hosts dominated Ecuador before goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez secured a place in the last eight.

Mora joins Pelé in exclusive World Cup history

Mora wasted no time in announcing himself on the biggest stage. The youngster threatened twice in the opening 15 minutes as Mexico flew out of the blocks after kick-off was delayed an hour due to inclement weather.According to FIFA, Mora is now only the second 17-year-old to start in the knockout stages of the World Cup since Pele’s iconic appearance for Brazil in 1958.The midfielder broke another national record earlier in the tournament when he became Mexico’s youngest ever World Cup starter, further highlighting why he is regarded as one of the country’s brightest young talents. Mora’s rise has been remarkable. The Tijuana midfielder became the youngest player to debut and score in Mexico’s top flight at 15 and later the youngest player to represent the senior national team at just 16.

Mexico has finally ended a four-decade elimination curse

When Mora made headlines with his record, Mexico was celebrating an equally historic team success.Quiñones broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after pouncing on a perfectly timed through ball before slotting an unstoppable finish past Hernán Galíndez. Just nine minutes later, the forward turned provider by teeing up Jiménez to double Mexico’s advantage.Mexico comfortably maintained their lead after the break as defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez superbly lined up a save as goalkeeper Raúl Rangel completed his fourth straight clean sheet of the tournament.The victory marked El Tri’s first World Cup knockout victory since defeating Bulgaria in 1986, also by a score of 2-0, ending one of the longest losing streaks in the tournament’s history.Mexico will now face the winner of the round of 32 between England and DR Congo, with confidence soaring after ending a 40-year knockout drought.