Australia will play in the semifinals of the Maurice Revello Tournament after goals from Noah Botic and Marlee Francois propelled them to an upset 2-0 win over Mexico 2-0, forcing El Tri into a nervy wait to see if they will progress as the best second-placed side of the three groups.
Played in behind the defence by Jacob Farrell, Botic had the Olyroos ahead in the 50th minute when he struck a left-footed effort across his body that careened into Hector Holguin and continued bouncing into the net — the Santos Laguna keeper only able to look back in dismay as it crossed the goal line.
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Australia should have already been leading at that point through defender Nectarios Triantis, who had ghosted into space at the Mexican back post in the 15th minute to meet a Marco Tilio free kick but sent his header wide.
Taking advantage of the miss, as well as some haphazard Australian play that saw them regularly turn the ball over deep in their own half, Mexico finished the first half the stronger of the two sides and Real Oviedo attacker Marcelo Flores — on loan from Premier League side Arsenal — also had an opportunity to equalise fall to him with just over 10 minutes to go in the game when he dug a shot out from beneath his feet only send it wide.
After some fine work from Ryan Teague in the build-up, second-half substitute Garang Kuol burst down the right flank in the 87th minute and whipped in a cross that beat his brother Alou but found the feet of Francois, who fired home to seal the result.
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Disappointing Mexico forced to sweat
Mexico midfielder Benjamin Galdames cut a furious figure when the full-time whistle sounded at the Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny, his side having fallen to a defeat to an opponent that, based on resumes at the under-23 level, they would have been expected to comfortably beat heading into this week.
Indeed, in what is their 27th appearance at the Maurice Revello Tournament, Mexico would have headed to the south of France expecting to top Group B having been drawn alongside unheralded Australia, a Selection Mediterranee side that was thrown together at the last minute to replace Togo, and Qatar.
However, much like in 2022, when they were forced to qualify for the semifinals as the best second-place finisher after finishing behind Venezuela, El Tri will again find their progression in this year’s tournament at the mercy of others heading into the final day of group play.
