Wednesday's actions at the ongoing Under-20 World Cup saw teams in both groups (Group C and D) take to the field. The most dramatic of the games that went down on Wednesday came in Group C, as Africa champions Zambia clinched a come from behind victory over Iran, securing qualification to the Round of Sixteen after winning both group-stage games. Meanwhile, Portugal and Costa Rica settled for a 1-1 stalemate. The both teams earned their first-points of the tournament.
In Group D, Italy scored twice to defeat South Africa, While Uruguay qualified for the Round of Sixteen with a second victory, this time it was a 2-0 win over Japan.
Costa Rica 1, Portugal 1
The young Portuguese were the first on the scorer's sheet after Costa Rica fullback Diego Mesen was whistled for a hand ball inside the penalty box. Playmaker Diogo Goncalves converted the spot-kick to give his side the first half lead in the thirty-second minute. Four minutes after the halftime break, it was the Portuguese turn to concede a penalty kick, as Portugal defender Miguel Luis took down Costa Rican forward Jonathan Martinez inside the box. Jimmy Marin stepped up and converted the spot kick to tie up the scoreline to 1-1.
Both teams have a point, with Portugal gripping on the third spot in Group C with a superior goals difference.
Zambia 4, Iran 2
The young Iranians wasted no time in scoring the opener in the early minutes, as playmaker Reza Shekari struck from an acute angle just eight minutes into the game.
The attacking midfielder bagged a brace, converting a penalty in the forty-ninth minute after defender Patson Daka apparently fouled Iran skipper Omid Noorafkan inside the penalty box. Six minutes later, Zambia “comeback” began, with a goal from striker Fashion Sakala in the fifty-fifth minute. Emmanuel Banda (Zambia), Enock Mwepu (Zambia) and Patson Daka (Iran) added to the scoreline, and by seventy-first minute, the Zambians comeback was completed.
With this second victory, Zambia has now secured a place in the Round of Sixteen (the knockout stage), while with three-points, Iran sits solely in the second spot.
Uruguay 2, Japan 0
Group D leaders Uruguay got the opener in the thirty-eighth minute thanks to a Nicolas Schiappacasse brilliant finish from an acute angle. Afterward, just minutes into the stoppage time Mathias Olivera doubled the lead for Uruguay from close-range.
With this second win, Uruguay has now booked a spot in the knockout stage, while Japan sits third, tied-on points with second-place Italy.
South Africa 0, 2 Italy
The opening goal of the encounter came in the twenty-third minute through a penalty. South Africa attacking midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa aggressively fouled Italy's Riccardo Orsolini to concede a penalty, which Orsolini converted. The Italians second goal came from a Giuseppe Scalera's long throw that found the head of forward Andrea Favilli, who doubled the lead in the fifty-third minute. Italy now has three-points, same points with third-place Japan, but “boasts” a superior goals difference. South Africa are languishing in the cellar of Group D after two straight defeats.
