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Sunday Ticker: Spain, Uruguay advance in Confed Cup; England U-20s concede late to draw; and more

AndresIniestaSpainNigeria2 (AP)

By DAN KARELL

Italy’s consolation for their 4-2 defeat to Brazil on Saturday is a rematch of the 2012 European Championships final against Spain.

The Spanish National Team comfortably went through to the knockout rounds of the Confederations Cup on Sunday, defeating Nigeria, 3-0, in Fortaleza, Brazil. The win was Spain’s third of the tournament so far, putting them on top of Group B and setting up a meeting with European rivals Italy in the semifinals. Nigeria’s defeat sends them out of the competition

Spain left back Jordi Alba opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, finishing a beautiful move past Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Though Nigeria created chances throughout, their lack of finishing in the final third was the difference on the day. Fernando Torres headed home his nation’s second in the 62nd minute, and Alba put the Nigerian’s out of their misery in the 88th with his second goal of the match.

In the other match on Sunday afternoon, Abel Hernandez scored four times as Uruguay ended Tahiti’s Confederations Cup journey with an 8-0 victory in the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez added two goals late as Uruguay goes through to the semifinals to face Brazil.

Here are some more stories from Sunday’s action:

ENGLAND U-20s SETTLE FOR DRAW, CHILE, CROATIA, UZBEKISTAN WIN

Two goals on either side of halftime put the England Under-20 National Team on top of Iraq’s U-20s, seemingly cruising to victory. Just like the senior national team, they couldn’t manage to hold onto the lead.

Two goals in the final 20 minutes, including one in 90th-minute stoppage time by Iraq left back Ali Adnan, earned the Asian nation a 2-2 draw with England in both side’s opening match at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.

England captain Conor Coady put the Three Lions on the board in the 41st minute with a header off a corner kick, while Luke Williams scored his nation’s second in the 52nd minute with a low finish on a counter-attack. Iraq stormed back though in the second half, scoring on a penalty kick in the 75th minute by Ali Faez and then a powerful finish from close range by Adnan in the 93rd minute tied the match.

Elsewhere in Turkey, Chile defeated Egypt, 2-1, to go top of Group E, Uzbekistan defeated New Zealand, 3-0, and Croatia took down Uruguay, 1-0, putting both Uzbekistan and Croatia at the head of Group F.

FLUMINENSE DEFEAT ORLANDO CITY IN THRILLER

With Brazilian club Fluminense visiting Orlando City SC for a friendly match, you knew there would be plenty of fireworks and beautiful soccer for the fans. Fortunately for those in attendance, neither side disappointed.

Former Brazil National Team forward Rafael Sobis scored twice as Fluminense held off a late rally to beat Orlando City, 4-3, in front of 11, 127 at the Citrus Bowl stadium on Saturday.

Sporting Kansas City loanee Dom Dwyer got Orlando City off to a stunning lead in the 19th minute when he scored on a great solo effort. However, Fluminense then went on to score four straight, first tying the match in the 41st minute, and then taking the lead two minutes into the second half. Sobis scored the second and third goals, with Gum scoring the first, and Samuel scoring the last in the 69th minute.

Orlando City mounted a late comeback with an Adama Mbengue goal in the 78th minute and a Jean Alexandre goal in the 80th minute but it was not to be as the American club fell to their Brazilian opposition.

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What do you make of these results? Do you see Spain topping Italy in the semi-finals? What did you think of Tahiti’s experience? Impressed that Orlando City scored three on Fluminense?

Share your thoughts below.

 

Comments

  1. I think Uruguay will give Brazil a tougher time than a lot of people think. If Uruguay can limit the individual moments of brilliance from Neymar and poach some goals with Cavani and Suarez then I think they could shock the world.

    Reply

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