Top Stories

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Mexico, Brazil roll while Argentina and England draw

Guarch (Getty Images)

By ADAM SERRANO

After a disappointing loss to Argentina, Mexico roared back to life in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with an impressive 3-0 victory over a fiesty North Korea side.

An own goal by North Korea moments before halftime gave Mexico the lead. El Tri doubled that lead in the 54th minute when forward Taufic Guarch launched a laser from 30 yards out, and Mexico midfielder Diego De Buen added a third goal four minutes into stoppage time to cap off the victory. 

Meixco needs only a draw against an underperforming England side to qualify for the knockout round, while the odds are long for North Korea, who must defeat Argentina by at least two goals to advance from Group F. 

More U-20 World Cup results are after the jump:

ARGENTINA 0, ENGLAND 0

The much-ballyhooed match between senior archrivals provided viewers with little as Argentina and England played to a scoreless draw. The match was a phyiscal battle, but neither nation was able to finish its chances and earn a victory. England did manage to find the back of the net once, but it was called back because of an offside infraction.

With four points, Argentina heads into its final match against North Korea needing simply to draw or to lose by only one goal to secure advancement from Group F. England, which had many eligble players unable to contribute due to injury and Premier League preseason remain on the cusp of qualification for the second round. The road is not easy for the young Three Lions, though, who will need a victory over Mexico to stay alive in the group and has to wait for other results to pour in to determine the chances of advancing as a third-place team.

BRAZIL 3, AUSTRIA 0

Overcoming a poor performance in their first match, Brazil easily dispatched Group E opponent Austria with a 3-0 victory. Henrique, Coutinho and William scored for Brazil, and the South Americans will need just a draw against Panama in their final group match to book their place in the second round.

With the defeat, Austria is in dire shape, needing a big victory over Egypt in the final group game to enter the knockout-stage picture.

EGYPT 1, PANAMA 0

Ahmed Hegazy scored a 67th-minute goal as Egypt picked up their first victory in the U-20 World Cup and inched closer to the knockout round. With the result, Egypt needs only a draw against last place Austria to move on from Group E.

Los Canaleros failed to pick up a victory for the second straight match and needs an improbable three-goal victory over Brazil to stay alive.

————–

What are your thoughts about the latest U-20 World Cup matches? Do you think Mexico, Argentina or Brazil can challenge for the tournament title based on their opening games?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. What; you don’t think they have lightning in Colombia??

    I wonder if the O.G. korean is going to be shot or if his dad is now doomed to spend the rest of his life toiling away in a coal mine.

    Reply
  2. read Soccernomics, it explains that with their population size/money/geographic size england performs about as well as they should. they arent an under performing team like people routinely call them

    Reply
  3. “Underperforming England Side”? After how many times does it stop being underperforming and starts being just plain sucks

    Reply
  4. Maybe US fans should be glad that they are not England. Despite the quality of their domestic leagues, England’s international performances continue to underwhelm.

    Reply

Leave a Comment