The site of many historic battles over the years, Matamoros is called the city of the undefeated, loyal and heroic.

In a game that started three hours late due to earlier weather issues, both starting pitchers made it through the first inning. Mexico’s David Zarate needed just nine pitches to strike out Canada’s first three batters.

But Canada, which hadn’t conceded a run in previous wins over Australia (7-0) and Japan (6-0), uncharacteristically came unstuck late in the second inning as the pitcher Benjamin (Dart) Dartnell and his Vancouver teammates allowed six carries, made three errors, knocked down bases and misjudged routine pop flies.

Mexico added two more runs in the third inning when Miguel Padilla hit a commanding home run with a teammate on base.

Mexico charged in the fourth but did not score. However, the team added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and won the game on the 10-point mercy rule. Mexico blocked eight runners on base in the five-inning game.

WATCH | Mexico eliminates Canada without a hit at the Little League World Series:

The Mexicans, who are one of the favorite teams to win the 2022 title, got stronger at the plate as the game progressed and also showed their defensive chops chasing down anything Canada hit in their path. . They also had 11 hits and only had one error.

Mexico takes on Taipei City on Wednesday in a 2-0 battle of powerhouse teams, while Canada (2-1) takes on Caribbean region entry Willemstad, Curacao on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET in the modified double-elimination tournament.