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Gilberto Mora becomes youngest player to start World Cup knockout match since Pelé
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- Gilberto Mora becomes youngest player to start World Cup knockout match since Pelé
Editor's note: The Mexico-Ecuador game has been delayed due to inclement weather . Keep up with the Mexico-Ecuador game once it gets going with our live blog, here .
MEXICO CITY — Gilberto Mora continues to make World Cup history .
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After making his debut in the opener against South Africa as the youngest player to ever represent El Tri in a World Cup match, the 17-year-old Club Tijuana midfielder continued to impress with the minutes he was given in Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia to close out the group stage.
Now, manager Javier Aguirre has appointed Mora into the Starting XI for the round of 32 match against Ecuador , making him the second youngest to ever start a World Cup knockout match behind only Pelé, who first started for Brazil in 1958 at 17 years, 239 days old — just 20 days younger than Mora.
Mora will start on the right side of the midfield alongside two steady veterans in Érik Lira and Luis Romo. The Tuxtla native has made waves in Liga MX ever since debuting for Los Xolos at the age of 15 and becoming the league's youngest goal scorer of all time. He plays quick and with explosiveness, but it's his maturity in his decision-making with the ball that has impressed Aguirre the most and caught the eye of some of Europe's major clubs, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and AC Milan.
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All of that will be needed against a talented Ecuador squad as El Tri looks to break their 40-year-old curse.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gilberto Mora becomes youngest player to start World Cup knockout match since Pelé
