Penalties dominated the agenda as Mexico defeats Cameroon in shootout, while spot-kicks in regulation send Argentina, Portugal and Colombia through to the last eight.
Argentina 2-1 Egypt
Six-time champion Argentina defeated Egypt 2-1 in its Round of 16 matchup at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, with all three goals coming from 12 yards out.
The opening half-hour was played at a swift tempo, and Argentina almost took the lead when Facundo Ferreyra headed Roma newboy Erik Lamela’s corner onto the post. However, Walter Perazzo’s men soon broke the deadlock three minutes from the interval with the first penalty of the evening. Carlos Luque went down in the box and Lamela stepped up to drill the ball past Ahmed Al Shenawi, despite the Egyptian 'keeper getting fingertips to the shot. The South Americans repeated the trick midway through the second-half, with Lamela burying his second spot-kick of the match after Luque was again fouled inside the area.
Egypt converted a penalty of its own in the 70th minute, when Mohamed Salah kept his nerve from the spot to hand his side a lifeline. The North Africans had their chances to draw level in the time that remained, but some inspired goalkeeping from Esteban Andrada and a goal-line block by Leonel Galeano sent them crashing out of the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina progresses to the last eight and will square off against Portugal in Cartagena on August 13.
Portugal 1-0 Guatemala
A penalty in normal time decided the outcome of a Round of 16 clash for the second time this evening, as Portugal progressed to the quarterfinals with a narrow 1-0 victory against Guatemala.
Benfica’s Nelson Oliveira struck the deciding spot-kick only seven minutes into the game, after right back Cedric Soares was tripped just inside the box. Portugal almost doubled its lead ten minutes later, but Rui Caetano somehow fired wide after being found unmarked in the area. After being largely second best throughout the first half, Guatemala attacked with renewed vigor after the break, looking for the goal to keep its tournament hopes alive. Substitute Jose Melgar had chances to equalize in the second half, first forcing Mika into a smart save, then twice firing just wide of the goal. Elias Vasquez also came close, before Mika produced a brilliant stop to deny Gabriel Arias in the 84th minute.
Ever Hugo Almeida’s men had their best chance to draw level two minutes from the end, but Kevin Norales’ 30-yard free-kick crashed back off the woodwork to signal the end of Guatemala’s 2011 U20 World Cup campaign. Portugal moves past the Round of 16 for the first time since 1995, and now has four day’s rest until its quarterfinal tie against Argentina.
Colombia 3-2 Costa Rica
A thrilling Round of 16 matchup saw Colombia claim a 3-2 victory over Costa Rica to seal its passage into the last eight. Once again, a penalty was the difference as Jose Rodriguez’ 90th minute spot-kick in a frenzied El Campin put the tournament host through to face Mexico in the quarterfinals.
After both sides struck the crossbar in the opening period, Colombia eventually opened the scoring after the interval, when Luis Muriel poked home to grab his fourth of the tournament on 56 minutes. However, its lead lasted only seven minutes, and Costa Rica equalized with John Ruiz’ clinical strike just past the hour mark. Two minutes later, Ronald Gonzalez’s men stunned the tournament host as they took the lead through Mynor Escoe’s determined run and finish.
Colombia took the setback in stride, and began to exert its authority over proceedings. Its effort was rewarded 12 minutes from the end, as a mistake by Aaron Cruz in the Costa Rican goal allowed Pedro Franco to head level from a corner. The drama was not finished, and referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a penalty for Colombia in injury time after Arial Soto’s foul on Duvan Zapata. Rodriguez maintained his composure to seal the comeback for the host and spark absolute bedlam in the stands. Colombia will return to El Campin on Aug. 13 to do battle against Mexico for a place in the semifinal.
Cameroon 1-1 Mexico (0-3 pens)
Mexico triumphed over Cameroon 3-0 on penalties to gain a place in the last eight, where it will face Colombia.
For nearly 80 minutes, Alan Pulido’s 11th minute strike against the crossbar was the closest that both sides came to a goal. Then, with 11 minutes remaining, the game suddenly sprang to life when Frank Ohandza broke the deadlock for Cameroon. Two minutes later, Mexico was level after Marvin Pinon set up Carlos Trevino to equalize.
Neither side could be separated in regulation, and 30 minutes of extra time also failed to produce a winner, sending the game to penalties. There, Erick Torres, Ulises Davila and Marvin Pinon all converted from 12 yards out for Mexico. Cameroon fell apart, failing to score from any of its first three spot kicks to exit the competition in heartbreaking fashion.
