Mexico took a big step towards reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazil in Maldonado on Friday.

In what was a competitive Group B contest at the Estadio Domingo Burgueno Miguel, Mexico showed more of an attacking threat, with Alison Gonzalez having multiple sights of the Brazil goal before the break.

El Tri would find the decisive breakthrough just before half-time, as Vanessa Buso converted Reyna Reyes’s cross from the right flank to give the North Americans the advantage at the break.

The South American champions struggled to create enough quality chances to get back on level terms. Their best opportunity in the second half came from a corner on 68 minutes, but Isadora’s goal-bound header was cleared off the Mexico goalline by Ximena Rio. At the other end, Brazil goalkeeper Mayara was called on to keep El Tri from extending their lead.

With the result, Mexico join Japan on four points at the top of Group B, with both sides meeting in their final group match on Tuesday 20 November. Brazil will seek their first goal and win when they meet South Africa in their final group game in Montevideo on Tuesday.