Argentina and Brazil won easily to reach the second round of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, while England is likely to advance despite drawing all their three matches 0-0. Brazil routed Panama 4-0 and Argentina beat North Korea 3-0, winning their groups and securing a place in the knockout phase. Mexico tied England and also advanced, Egypt progressed after beating Austria 4-0 while Panama, North Korea, and Austria were eliminated.
Inter Milan playmaker Philippe Coutinho scored twice to lead Brazil over Panama. Henrique opened the scoring in the 40th minute, and Coutinho added to the lead in first-half stoppage time and in the 52nd. Dudu completed the scoring in the 89th. Brazil won Group E with seven points. Egypt also finished with seven points, but trailed Brazil on goal difference. Panama and Austria were eliminated with one point each. Mohamed Ibrahim scored three second-half goals in Egypt’s victory over Austria in Cartagena. The Egyptians will face Argentina in the round of 16. Brazil’s opponent in the second round will be either Saudi Arabia or Nigeria.
It will most likely be the Saudis, unless they manage to beat the Africans in their last group game on Saturday. In Medellin, six-time champion Argentina defeated North Korea 3-0 with goals by Facundo Ferreyra in the 36th minute, Lucas Villafanez in the 84th and Adrian Cirigliano in second-half stoppage time. Argentina won Group F with seven points from three matches, three points more than Mexico, which dominated against England but was not able to capitalise on their scoring opportunities.
The result extended England’s winless streak in the Under-20 World Cup to 13 matches. England will still advance to the last 16 unless there is an extraordinary combination of results in the remaining group games, most particularly in the Croatia-Guatemala game, where Croatia would have to win by five goals or Guatemala by 11, otherwise England go through.
