Mexico is one step closer to Little League World Series immortality.
Mexico advanced to the international championship game at the 2017 LLWS in Williamsport, Pa., on Thursday with a 6-2 win over Canada.
Mexico now faces Japan for a chance to reach the LLWS final on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET. The winner of that game plays the winner of the United States bracket for the overall championship.
Thursday the Mexican team relied on starter Andre Garza, who earned the win by firing four innings of two-run ball. Garza struck out seven and walked just two.
Mexico spotted him two runs over the first two innings before piling on with three in the fifth against Canada reliever Chase Marshall. Home runs by Jorge Garcia and Jorge Lambarria sandwiched a Garza walk, and Mexico won going away.
Saul Soto and Samuel Juarez also drove in runs for Team Mexico.
The loss eliminated Canada, which lost to Japan on Wednesday to fall into the loser's bracket. Canadian leadoff hitter Robert Orr homered in the losing effort.
The Southwest region's Texas squad advanced to the U.S. championship game with 14-4 victory over Connecticut (New England) on Thursday. The loss eliminated Connecticut from the tournament.
Texas will now compete for the U.S. title against North Carolina (Southeast) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. North Carolina defeated Texas, 2-1, on Wednesday with a walk-off error in extra innings.
Texas jumped ahead early with a big eight-run inning sparked by Collin Ross' three-run homer that plated the first runs of the game. The Texas lineup collected 13 hits and drew four walks.
Texas starter Mark Requena pitched 4 2/3 innings and held Connecticut to just four runs on four hits -- homers by Michael Iannazzo and Matthew Vivona -- and a pair of walks while fanning seven batters.