Who is Gilberto Mora? Mexico’s 17-year-old starlet shines in World Cup win against Ecuador

Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora put in a stunning performance in his country’s knockout triumph over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32.

>Mora also became the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout game after he took to the field for El Tri’s last-32 tie against Ecuador at the age of just 17 years and 259 days old – 20 days older than Pele was when the Brazilian legend featured at the 1958 tournament.

>Mora is also Mexico’s youngest-ever men’s World Cup player when he came on in the opening win over South Africa, with his cameo aged just 17 years and 240 days old beating a 96-year record set by Manuel "Chaquetas" Rosas in 1930.

Mora played his part in Mexico's win (AP)It is certainly a record-breaking start for the youngster, who plays his club football for Liga MX club Tijuana and is regarded as Mexican football’s brightest emerging talent.

>His start against Ecuador was just his fifth in a Mexico shirt. He has only registered one assist in his previous appearances, though his performance in a 72-minute cameo against the Czech Republic was enough for El Tri manager Javier Aguirre to make the bold decision to start him.

>It was a decision that almost paid off straight away at the Azteca Stadium, with the youngster blasting an effort over from distance and then sending a superb curled effort a whisker wide of the far post, both within the opening 16 minutes.

>Yet Mexico secured a comfortable 2-0 win after a dominant performance.