Under-17 World Cup Final 2011, Mexico Vs. Uruguay: Hosts One Win Away From Sub-17 Trophy

When the Under-17 World Cup was being planned the organizers took a pretty bold step. They scheduled the final to be played at the Estadio Azteca. Having played host to an Olympic Games and two World Cup finals among many other events, putting the U-17 final there may have seemed like the obvious choice except for one thing. It holds 105,000 people. For a youth tournament, even if it’s a youth World Cup, putting a match in a 105,000 seat stadium makes for a lot of empty seats unless one thing happens. The hosts have to play in the final. Well, that’s what has happened. Mexico has advanced to the final where they will play Uruguay in front of a packed Azteca that will be buzzing all evening long.

Mexico got to the final by defeating Germany, 3-2, in a thrilling semifinal match that saw Julio Gomez score an incredible bicycle kick in the 89th minute to win it for the hosts. It was just another day of high-powered attacking for Mexico, who has scored 15 goals in six U-17 World Cup matches. Led by Carlos Fierro, the Mexico attack will challenge a Uruguay side that has allowed just three goals all tournament long.

Uruguay doesn’t have the star power of Fierro or Gomez. They are still a country of less than 4,000,000 so no matter what they do they will always be somewhat of an underdog. They looked anything but an underdog against Brazil in the semifinals though, wiping the floor with one of the tournament favorites to the tune of 3-0.

With Azteca filled to the brim, the atmosphere in Mexico City will be absolutely electric. It may be a little too much at first for a bunch of kids who are talented and all professionals, but haven’t played in quite the setting they will be in on Sunday evening. Which team can settle in first could find themselves up 1-0 in the early going as Mexico and Uruguay battle for under-17 world supremacy.

For more on Mexico vs. Uruguay and Mexican football in general, visit SB Nation’s Mexican football blog FMF State Of Mind.