The final group games are done and dusted and we now know who will play who in the second round – Will Burns provides a rundown of Matchday nine’s action.
IRAQ 2-1 CHILE
The legend continues as Iraq’s Under-20 World Cup will go onto the second stage with another win, this time at the expense of Chile. The victory over the South Americans sees Iraq top Group E and stay in Antalya for a last-16 showdown with Paraguay. The Chileans, who rested a lot of their first team, will now face a trip to Bursa to take on Group F winners Croatia.
Iraq had a dream start on 15 minutes, Chile were dominating the ball but the Iraqis took the lead against the run of play. Mohanad Abdulraheem did some tremendous work down the left, delivering a cross that was deflected perfectly into the path of Mahdi Kamil. Six yards from goal and hardly able to believe his luck, the little striker kept his composure and placed the ball in the goal with a simple left-foot finish.
Chile’s unrelenting pressure provided an equaliser, 13 minutes later when Felipe Mora, making his first start of the tournament, headed home an inswinging Oscar Hernandez corner.
However, it was impossible for the Chileans to deny Iraq the win. On 67 minutes, Saif Salman’s 30-yard shot packed plenty of power but it seemed to be heading straight into the arms of Chilean goalkeeper Dario Melo before deflecting off defender Valber Huerta, which sent the ball spinning into the bottom-right corner.
Chile pressed again for another goal but it was not enough to prevent this year’s surprise package taking a further scalp.
EGYPT 2-0 ENGLAND
England made yet another miserable tournament exit as Peter Taylor’s side crashed out at the group stages at the hands of a 2-0 defeat to Egypt.
The Three Lions needed a victory to advance from the group stage after starting their campaign with two draws, but failed to make their superiority count and were doomed once Trezeguet curled Egypt in front with 11 minutes to go.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley had been denied before the break and Sporting Lisbon’s Eric Dier did smash a free-kick against the crossbar midway through the second half before Spurs’ striker Harry Kane fluffed a golden chance to level. Egypt made sure of the win with Hassan Ahmed’s stoppage-time effort which piled further humilation onto an England outfit that slumped to the bottom of Group E as Iraq and Chile advanced.
Amazingly, England have now gone 16 matches without a win at this level.
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UZBEKISTAN 0-4 URUGUAY
Uruguay have leapfrogged Uzbekistan to set up a last-16 meeting with Nigeria after a thoroughly deserved 4-0 win at Antalya’s Akdeniz University Stadium.
Nicolas Lopez emerged as man of the match, scoring one and creating two, he was the danger to the Asians’ defence from the very start.
His speed caused major problems twice for the Uzbeks but both times his finishing let him down, but his team remained firmly in command and the Uruguayans took a well-earned lead with seven minutes of the first period remaining.
On 38 minutes, Gino Acevedo found a pocket of space in midfield before marching forward with no challenge and firing a right-footed shot into the net from 25 yards.
After the interval, Uruguay went ballistic with Lopez was at the heart of everything. He doubled his side’s advantage two minutes after the restart with a precise shot high into the net after rounding goalkeeper Asilbek Amanov. He then turned architect for his team’s next two goals, squaring unselfishly for Giorgian De Arrascaeta and then crossing for substitute striker Ruben Bentancourt with a volley beyond Amanov at his near post.
CROATIA 2-1 NEW ZEALAND
Croatia secured a 2-1 victory over New Zealand to finish top of Group F, with Stipe Perica and Ante Rebic on target for the Europeans, while a Louis Fenton spot-kick provided a consolation goal for the All Whites.
Although, the Croats rested nine players and after a bruising opening to the game, Max Crocombe was called into action in the ninth minute. The New Zealand ‘keeper reacted well as Marko Pajac’s goal-bound free-kick evaded everyone in the All Whites area. Crocombe’s next action however was picking the ball out of the net after getting caught in no man’s land when coming for Mato Milos’ cross, allow Perica to head over the stranded keeper.
New Zealand, with nothing to lose, battled and did all they could to create openings, but chances were rare as the final ball was lacking.
The introduction of Rebic added some bite to Croatia, and the RNK Split forward’s power and pace was a struggle for the Junior All Whites defenders.
Within minutes of being on the pitch, he created an opportunity for Miro Kovacic just after the hour mark, but Crocombe saved well. It was the substitute who wrapped up the game, firing into the top corner after being left in far too much space on the edge of the area.
SECOND ROUND FIXTURES
DATE |
TIME BST |
MATCH |
VENUE |
2/7/13 |
16:00 |
Spain vs. Mexico |
Istanbul |
2/7/13 |
16:00 |
Greece vs. Uzbekistan |
Gaziantep |
2/7/13 |
19:00 |
Nigeria vs. Uruguay |
Istanbul |
2/7/13 |
19:00 |
France vs. Turkey |
Gaziantep |
3/7/13 |
16:00 |
Portugal vs. Ghana |
Kayseri |
3/7/13 |
16:00 |
Croatia vs. Chile |
Bursa |
3/7/13 |
19:00 |
Colombia vs. Korea Republic |
Trabzon |
3/7/13 |
19:00 |
Iraq vs. Paraguay |
Antalya |
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