They backed up their opening 2-0 win against South Korea by edging Mexico 1-0 at the Colegio Sagrado Corazón in the Spanish capital.

It means they top Group C and are assured of a place in the last eight.

Zhang Jiabin scored the only goal of the game after eight minutes as China joined Brazil and Spain in the knock-out phase.

The margin of victory could have been greater but Mexican keeper Michael Smithers made a string of good saves.

Two other games took play today in the group phase.

Thailand bounced back from their opening defeat to hosts Spain by beating Turkey 3-0 in Group A.

Kupan Panyawut scored a terrific hat-trick for the Thais as they kept alive their chances of progressing.

In Group B, Iran also recovered from an opening loss as they hammered France 7-0.

Sadegh Rahmi scored a hat-trick in the rout and Hossein Rajab Pour and Behzad Zadaliasghari both bagged doubles.

Five group matches will be held tomorrow.