Spain, France, Portugal and Nigeria are the first countries to head into the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Ghana and Korea Republic sweat on progressing in the tournament sitting in third in their group tables awaiting other results to see if they fall into the ‘Best Third Place’ category. Will Burns provides a rundown of all today’s games in Turkey.

SPAIN 2-1 FRANCE

Julen Lopetegui’s Spain still have their 100 per cent record in tact after defeating France 2-1 as they cemented their place at the top of Group A with nine points.

The Spaniards grabbed the lead in the first half through Francisco Alcacer in the 23rd minute, as the Spanish dominated the opening period. The advantage was doubled and ten minutes into the second half as Real Madrid’s Jese Rodriguez scored his fourth goal in just three appearances in the tournament. He was composure personified, instantly controlling a missed interception by France’s Kurt Zouma, steadying himself and firing accurately into the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the penalty area.

France got a consolation late on through Thibaut Vion but it was too little too late as the Spaniards held out for the win but it will be both teams that advance to the knockout stages.

GHANA 4-1 USA

Ghana have given themselves a slight chance at reaching the knockout stages after a superb 4-1 victory over the USA, who are now eliminated.

Even thought Shane O’Neill had scored for the Americans, Ghana hit four past the Tab Ramos’s side to take the victory.

Ebenezeer Assifuah’s double and goals from Frank Acheampong and Kennedy Ashia, leave the side from West Africa on three points with a goal difference of zero in Group A, meaning they must wait to see if they advance as one of four best third-place sides.

PORTUGAL 5-0 CUBA

Portugal put in a five- star performance to secure top spot in Group B with an excellent 5-0 victory over Cuba at Kayseri’s Kadir Has Stadium.

Bruma was once again among the scoring, hitting the net twice to take an outright lead in the tournament’s Golden Boot competition with five overall in three games. Ricardo, Aladje and Toze hit the other goals.

With topping the group, Portugal earned the right to stay in Kayseri for their last 16 tie, in which they will play one of the best third-placed sides.

KOREA REPUBLIC 0-1 NIGERIA

Under-20 World Cup perennial goalscorer Olarenwaju Kayode’s first goal of tournament was enough to see Nigeria defeat Korea Republic and progress through to the second round, with the Koreans needing to wait on other results to know their future.

The only goal of the game came inside ten minutes thanks to Kayode’s first strike of the competition – having struck three times at Colombia 2011. He was assisted by their stand-out captain Abdul Ajagun, who swung in a free-kick from the left, and an unmarked Kayode headed simply past goalkeeper Lee Changguen.

Nigeria will now face the second place team in Group F while Korea wait on other results.