EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey. July 6: Bulgaria. who only squeezed into the World Cup thanks

to a dramatic last-gasp win, reached the last eight for the first time in their history on Tuesday by beating Mexico on penalties, reports Reuter.

The Bulgarians took • the penalty shoot-out 3-1 after-the teams had finished I I the end of 120 minutes of play.

Backed by the vast majority of the 70.000-strong crowd, the Mexicans lost their nerve In the shoot-out and their first three players failed to convert their kicks.

Bulgarian captain Borislav Mihailov emerged as his team's hero, saving penalties from Marcelino Bernal and Jorge Rodriguez aftir Mexican Alberto Garcia, who had netted from the spot during the game, blazed over the bar.

Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos saved from Bulgaria's Krasimir Balakov but had no chance with kicks from Bon-cho Genchev. Daniel Borimirov and the clincher from Yordan Lechkov.

"I did not have any particular strategy. 1 was Just looking at the foot of the player taking kicks.' Mihailov said of his saves

'God was a Bulgarian today,' was the explanation of striker Hristo Stolchkov.

Bulgaria specialise tn nai! biting wins, having scored in the last minute of their final qualifying match last No vember to eliminate France

They had never won a match at five previous World Cup finals but have now won three In a row. a run which sets them up for a quarter-final clash with champions Germany on Sunday

This second round game was blighted by poor referee Ing by Syrian Jamal Al Sharif who sent off two men from each side cautioned a further six and awarded the Mexicans a hotly disputed penalty

"We thought the referee was biased by the presence of 70.000 Mexicans tn the cro wd." said Mihailov

Lacking three suspended players and with a makeshift defence. Bulgaria went ahead in the seventh minute.

Ivaylo Yoirdanov. a striker playing as an emergency stopper. sent a fine pass through to Stoichkov who rifled a shot past Campos for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Mexico, who had never lost to Bulgaria. ’ were level in the 19th minute when Alberto Garcia converted a penalty awarded when Bulgarian defender Emil Kremenliev tangled with Mexican striker Luis Alves "Zague” In the penalty box.

The game was held up for six minutes in the first half while the goalposts were replaced at the Mexican end after Bernal had pulled down the stanchion in making a saving header.

ilgaria had been angry wjtti referee Sharif since the penalty and could scarcely believe It when the unfortunate Kremenliev was shown the red card in the 50th minute.

Kremenliev had been booked earlier but the foul which earned him his second yellow card looked harmless enough.

That one-man advantage lasted only eight minutes as Mexican mill fielder Luis Garcia was dismissed for his second caution, the punishment again appearing to far outweigh the crime.

Referee: Jamal Al-Sharif (Syria)

Red Cards:

Mexico — Luis Garcia (58)

Bulgaria — Emil Kremenliev Teltow cards;

Mexico — Claudio Suarez (15). Lula Garcia (29). Ramon Ramirez (71). Albert Garcia |77U- — Emil Kremenliev (13). Nasko Slrakov (17). Ilian Kiryakov (35). Ivailo Yordanov 1681 TEAMS

MEXICO: 1-Jorge Campos. 20-Jorge Rodriguez. 2-Claudio Suarez. 3-Juan Ramirez. 5-Ramon Ramirez. 4-Ignacio Ambriz. 6-Marcelino Bernal. 8-Albert Gracia, 10-Luis Garcia, 11-Luis Alves. 17-Benjamin Galindo.

BULGAR!I-Borislav Ml hallov. 2-Emil Kremenliev,* 5 Petar Hubchev, 16-Ilian Kir yakov. 11 -Daniel Bortmlrov, 13-Ivailo Yordanov. 9-Yordan Lechkov, 20 Krasimir Balakov. 7-Emll Kostadlnov (17-Petar Mithtarski 118) 10-Nasko

Slrakov (14 Boncho Gencho Genchev 104), 8-Hristo Stol chkov,