England held on for a breathtaking 7-6 win against Mexico, with goalkeeper Jackson Davies making a save at point-blank range as time expired on a behind-the-back effort to advance out of the play-in round of the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in front of a raucous crowd in Seogwipo, Korea.
Davies made his 10th save of the night to rebuff a frantic Mexico final possession, his second save in the final 30 seconds of the game. Mexico had trailed 7-3 in the fourth quarter and staged an improbable comeback, forcing an England turnover down one with just over a minute to go to set up a madcap finish. Wyatt Guerra’s first shot was deflected away, and Mexico nearly ran out of time in the ensuing scramble trying to corral a loose ball.
But with five seconds left, Ezekiel Peraza regained the ball, raced towards net and found an unmarked Guerra in front of goal. Guerra went for the audacious attempt on the edge of the crease, but Davies stood tall to make the save of the tournament and one of the most memorable plays at a World Lacrosse championship in recent memory, sparking exuberant celebrations in front of the English support.
An absolutely WILD passage of play in the dying seconds as Mexico had an incredible look to send the game to OT, but Jackson Davies stood tall and sent England to the quarterfinals instead 🏴#WLMU20C x #Jeju2025 pic.twitter.com/YIkX8hPss3
— World Lacrosse (@WorldLacrosse) August 20, 2025
England advanced to the quarterfinal against the United States, set for Thursday at 7 p.m.
Mexico, which nearly pulled off the upset against the sixth place finisher from 2022, will continue in placement play towards ninth place, guaranteed to improve on the 13th place in its debut in 2016. Mexico faces the Netherlands on Thursday at 7:10 p.m.
Both teams were nearly even on total shots, and both goalkeepers were imperious on the evening with Weston Guerra making 11 saves and finishing above 60% in save percentage like his counterpart Davies.
England had a key 75% win percentage on face-offs thanks to Leo Baythorpe, but Mexico evened the possession game by forcing England into five more turnovers at 21 total.
In a hard-fought game where goals were at a premium, England’s stars did just enough. Archie Gold had a goal and four assists, Elis Baythorpe added two goals and an assist and Drew Wilkinson scored twice. Spencer Mason scored what would end up being the winning goal with 10 minutes to go.
Thomas Agents and Luca DiCarlo stepped up for Mexico to find offense, with three points for Agents and two goals for DiCarlo. The two scored to get Mexico within two in the fourth quarter, and Hershel Griffin cut it to one with 2:40 to play.
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