TORREON, Mexico – Julio Gomez scored his second goal of the game in the 90th minute and host Mexico advanced to the final of the FIFA U17 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Germany on Thursday.
Gomez, who earlier had to be removed from the pitch on a stretcher with a head injury, scored on an overhead kick developing from a late corner.
Mexico will face Uruguay in Sunday’s final in Mexico City. Uruguay advanced with a 3-0 win over Brazil earlier in Guadalajara.
Germany and Brazil will meet in the consolation final Sunday.
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Germany looked to have the game in hand with a 2-1 lead late in the second half, but Jorge Espericueta scored on a corner kick in the 76th minute to tie the game and set up Gomez’s heroics.
Gomez was hurt when he collided with a German defender on the goal-line during Espericueta’s corner. He was bleeding when he was taken off the field, but after changing his shirt and having his head wrapped he was able to get back in the game.
Gomez also opened the scoring when he put Mexico up 1-0 in the third minute.
Samed Yesil score din the 10th minute for Germany, then Emre Can gave the Germans a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute.
In the earlier semifinal at Guadalajara, Elbio Alvarez put the Uruguayans ahead with a 20th-minute penalty before Juan San Martin, in the 72nd minute, and Guillermo Mendez, deep in injury time, sealed the win.
The defeat represents the Brazilians’ first ever loss to another South American team at this tournament.
Uruguay defeated Canada 3-0 in the opening match of the tournament for both teams. The Canadians failed to survive the first round while the South Americans went on to beat Congo, Uzbekistan and Brazil.
The Brazilians outshot Uruguay 27-10 but only managed five shots on target. Uruguay, counter-attacking with skill, scored on three of its five on net.
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