Mexico easily defeat Saint Martin to continue up top in U17 World Cup qualification

Mexico easily dispatched Saint Martin with a 4-0 victory in their second match of the 2026 U17 World Cup qualifiers. Mexico continued in first place in Group A after once again completely dominating the match in route to another three points. Mexico will now face fellow leader Barbados in a key match that should determine which team gets the only ticket to the World Cup while Saint Martin will not have a match until the final day where they end their group stage with a clash against Barbados.

The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with an alternate squad from their first match. Off a corner kick, the ball would be crossed into the area where Carlos Calvillo would head it into the path of Jonathan de la Fuente, who got past Saint Martin’s goalkeeper, Lendsey Benjamin and left the ball for Adonai Valdez, who got off a left footed shot into the empty net to give Mexico the early 1-0 lead. After the early goal, Saint Martin started to attack more as Mexico sat back and had less possession than expected. In the area, the ball would fall for Jesus Orduño but his right footed shot went straight to Benjamin. A cross into the area was headed wide by Orduño from close range. After getting the ball in the area, Calvillo got off a left footed shot that was easily saved by Benjamin. A pass into the area would find Calvillo, who got off a great lob over Benjamin and into the area, where Luis Trujillo would get a header into the empty net to score and give Mexico the 2-0 lead. It was a great cross from Calvillo, who took advantage of a bad mistake by Benajmin in trying to get to the ball and allowing Trujillo the great opportunity. The halftime whistle blew and Mexico took their deserved lead to the halftime after being the superior team but not giving a great spectacle either.

The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Andre Godinez for Dylan Martinez. From outside the area, Calvillo got off a left footed shot that was blocked by Benjamin although he had some trouble with it. After lowering the ball in the area, Eddy Lugo looked to have a chance but his shot was blocked by a defender. A cross into the area was volleyed by Orduño but Benjamin made a great save and the play was also ruled offside. Saint Martin subbed out Maxime Gibbes for Batiste Rodriguez. A long ball into the area proved to be a good opportunity for Calvillo but Benjamin got the ball off his feet before he could get a shot. Saint Martin subbed out Wilfried Plumain for Gilles Enzo. From outside the area, Orduño got off a right footed shot that went well wide. A cross into the area would get to Carlos Calvillo, who got to the ball and got past a defender before getting off a left footed shot past Benjamin and into the net to give Mexico the 3-0 lead. Mexico subbed out Jonathan de la Fuente and Luis Trujillo for Alberto Cisneros and Noe Mota. A right footed shot from Orduño was saved by Benjamin but left there for Cisneros, who incredibly sent his shot well wide, missing a great chance. Inexplicably, Mexico subbed out goalkeeper Marcelo Avalos for Jose Corona when Avalos hadn’t had any activity in the match. Cisneros made a great run in the area, got past Benjamin but incredibly he would slip and fall as he took his left footed shot that was going wide and then cleared by a defender in a wasted chance. Mexico subbed out Adonai Valdez for Gerson Gutierrez. A cross into the area was volleyed wide by Calvillo. A shot from outside the area by Orduño was easily saved by Benjamin. A left footed shot from Lugo would go just wide. A cross into the area would find Gutierrez but his left footed shot was saved by Benjamin. Off a corner kick, the ball would to Calvillo, who would get off a cross that would be headed from close range by Eliud Sanchez past Benjamin to get a 4-0 lead.

Without facing much danger but also not showing a great display of football, Mexico got their 2nd victory in as many games by defeating Saint Martin. Although a tougher rival than Sint Maarten, Mexico was overly superior and should have won by a higher score. Mexico will not face off against surprising co leaders Barbados in what looks to be the most important match of the competition, this after Barbados defeated host Trinidad and Tobago in the opener. That result changed things drastically as Mexico should be heavy favorites to get the ticket to the World Cup if they win on Monday night but they will need to improve on their level, which has been somewhat lackluster even with the good results.