FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2011: Mexico Advance To Knockout Stages, Draw Panama In Round Of 16

After three consecutive good performances from the Mexican national youth team, El Tri are through to the knockout stages of the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Mexico won all three of their three group stage matches, triumphing over The Netherlands in their final group stage match by a score of 3-2. Emerging star Giovani Casillas, attacking midfielder from Chivas de Guadalajara, scored yet again for El Tri, with Carlos Fierro of Chivas and Arturo Gonzalez of Atlas chipping in with the other goals.

Mexico's nine points and goal differential made them the second best team in the group stages, and they have drawn Panama, the third placed team in Group E, in the Round of 16. The game will be the last game of the Round of 16 and will be played on June 30 at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca. The only team who has performed better than Mexico to this point, Germany, drew the United States.