SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- Tristan Borges equalized late in the first half to lift Canada into a 1-1 draw with Mexico in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano on Friday.
The tie kept the Mexicans (2-1-0, 7 points) and the Canadians (2-1-0, 7 points) even on points, but the Tricolor remained at the top of the table due to superior goal differential (+8 to +3). The group winner will advance to the final and earn one of the Confederation’s four places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.
Entering the evening unbeaten and untied, the sides produced a high-quality encounter that lived up to expectations, especially during an entertaining first half.
Mexico drew first blood in the 19th minute after Eduardo Aguirre, off Diego Cortes' cross from the right side, had his attempt blocked by a defender at the far post. Pablo Lopez swung in the ensuing corner kick from the right side as four Mexican players crashed the net. Ulises Torres turned out to be the fortunate player as he slipped the ball past goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini for a 1-0 advantage.
The Canadians created some chances themselves and leveled four before the break. Borges found space 28-yards out, switched the ball from one foot to another and unleashed a booming shot that an outstretched goalkeeper Abraham Romero could not stop from entering the left side of the net to knot the score at 1-1.
The Tricolor’s unbeaten run in the competition was extended to 21 straight games, but its 10-game winning streak came to an end.
With two match days remaining in group competition, Mexico will meet Haiti at the same stadium on Monday, before Canada tussles with St. Lucia on the same day.
