Portugal set the pace at U-20 World Cup

AP, WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND): Portugal strode confidently into the knockout rounds of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Saturday, beating Colombia 3-1 for its third-straight win in Group C.
Despite the loss, Colombia also progressed to the round of 16 with a win, a draw and a loss which was just good enough for second place in
the group.
Senegal beat Qatar 2-1 in the last Group C match and also finished with four points; behind Colombia on goal differential but likely good enough to advance as one of the four best third-place teams. Qatar finished last with three losses.
Portugal has now superseded Argentina as favourite to win the World Cup after the South American champion was eliminated Friday when its 0-0 draw with Austria left
it with only two points in Group B.
Nuno Santos scored the opening goal with a superb curling free kick after only three minutes and Andre Silva scored twice in the second half; the first from a penalty and the second with a header as Colombia’s keeper came off his line but did not get to Nuno Santos’ cross.
Portugal has 10 goals, while Santos Borre’s 74th minute goal for Colombia was the first it has conceded.
Senegal came from a goal down after a lethargic first half to beat Qatar 2-1, at the same time ensuring hosts New Zealand will progress to the round of 16 as the third-placed team in Group A.
Qatar’s Akram Afif converted a penalty in the 17th minute after Almoez Ali was brought down. Stand-in captain Alassane Sylla equalized in the 76th minute and Moussa Kone, after threatening on several occasions, scored the winner five minutes later.
Senegal needed another goal to have a chance of ousting Colombia from second place and almost scored but Mamadou Ndiaye’s long-range shot went just wide of the post.
Serbia beat Mexico 2-0 to claim first place in Group D which was the tightest of the tournament. After two rounds, all four teams — Serbia, Mexico, Mali and Uruguay — were tied on three points.
Serbia’s win on Saturday eliminated Mexico from contention for a place in the knockout rounds but Mali and Uruguay stayed in the race after playing out a 1-1 draw which left them with four points each and identical goal differentials. A drawing of lots was required to separate them in the standings, with Uruguay taking second place and Mali third.
Nemanja Maksimovic gave Serbia the lead after only two minutes and Andrija Zivkovic doubled the lead just before halftime.
Uruguay led Mali with a goal to Franco Acosta in the 17th minute but Mali showed the tenacity that has served them so well throughout the tournament, equalizing through Adama Traore a minute before halftime.

Portugal set the pace at U-20 World Cup

AP, WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND): Portugal strode confidently into the knockout rounds of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Saturday, beating Colombia 3-1 for its third-straight win in Group C. Despite the loss, Colombia also progressed to the round of 16 with a win, a draw and a loss which was just good enough for second place in the group. Senegal beat Qatar 2-1 in the last Group C match and also finished with four points; behind Colombia on goal differential but likely good enough to advance as one of the four best third-place teams. Qatar finished last with three losses. Portugal has now superseded Argentina as favourite to win the World Cup after the South American champion was eliminated Friday when its 0-0 draw with Austria left it with only two points in Group B. Nuno Santos scored the opening goal with a superb curling free kick after only three minutes and Andre Silva scored twice in the second half; the first from a penalty and the second with a header as Colombias keeper came off his line but did not get to Nuno Santos cross. Portugal has 10 goals, while Santos Borres 74th minute goal for Colombia was the first it has conceded. Senegal came from a goal down after a lethargic first half to beat Qatar 2-1, at the same time ensuring hosts New Zealand will progress to the round of 16 as the third-placed team in Group A. Qatars Akram Afif converted a penalty in the 17th minute after Almoez Ali was brought down. Stand-in captain Alassane Sylla equalized in the 76th minute and Moussa Kone, after threatening on several occasions, scored the winner five minutes later. Senegal needed another goal to have a chance of ousting Colombia from second place and almost scored but Mamadou Ndiayes long-range shot went just wide of the post. Serbia beat Mexico 2-0 to claim first place in Group D which was the tightest of the tournament. After two rounds, all four teams Serbia, Mexico, Mali and Uruguay were tied on three points. Serbias win on Saturday eliminated Mexico from contention for a place in the knockout rounds but Mali and Uruguay stayed in the race after playing out a 1-1 draw which left them with four points each and identical goal differentials. A drawing of lots was required to separate them in the standings, with Uruguay taking second place and Mali third. Nemanja Maksimovic gave Serbia the lead after only two minutes and Andrija Zivkovic doubled the lead just before halftime. Uruguay led Mali with a goal to Franco Acosta in the 17th minute but Mali showed the tenacity that has served them so well throughout the tournament, equalizing through Adama Traore a minute before halftime.