Debutants, Gambia were handed a 0-3 thrashing by Mexico in the opening Group C match on Monday at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

The defeat of the Darling Scorpions was the first for an African side at the ongoing competition, with the Flying Eagles of Nigeria remaining the only side to have bagged the maximum points in the opening matches.

Gambia, whose squad is dominated by members of the African U-17 winning team in 2005 started the game played at the National Soccer Stadium in Toronto on a bright note matching the star-studded Mexico side equally throughout the first half.

On several occasions, the attacking duo of Ousman Jallow and Sainey Nyassa came close to breaking the deadlock but agility on the part of El Tricolor goalie Alfonso Blanco robbed them of that opportunity.

The second half saw both sides introducing new players but that technique worked in favour of the Mexicans, resulting in three unanswerable goals.

Barcelona youngster, Dos Santos, a hot contender for the Golden Ball award launched the goal party in the 57th minute when he volleyed home from 20 yards before Hector Moreno doubled the lead ten minutes later from a rebound after Gambian goalie Joseph Gomez had blocked a shot.

Substitute Javier Hernandez sealed the doom of the debutants with a third goal by tapping in from close range.

Despite the defeat, Darling Scorpions coach, Peter Bonu Johnson praised his boys for the excellent display in the first half attributing the result to the loss of concentration in the second segment.

"This is a disappointing start as we were punished for our mistakes," said Coach Bonu Johnson.

Portugal beat New Zealand 2-0 in the other Group C match earlier.

The next games in Group C are on Thursday as Gambia play New Zealand play and Mexico face Portugal.