Under 20 World Cup Update - Day 2 Round of 16

Day 2 of the round of 16 is in the books and four more countries booked passage into the Under 20 World Cup quarterfinals. Favourites Mexico and Argentina set up a quarterfinal showdown as Mexico easily ousted Congo 3-0 and Argentina dropped Poland 3-1.  African champions Nigeria downed Zambia 2-1 and Chile sent a disappointing Portugal side home 1-0 to complete the final 8.

Mexico 3  Congo 0
Mexico were the better team on the day at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, but the 3-0 scoreline did not accurately reflect the sheer force of Congo's resistance. After attacking well early, the Congolese conceded a penalty in minute 23 from none-other than Barcelona starlet Giovanni Dos Santos. The spirited Africans then stormed forward and saw three wonderful chances to score go begging - the most notable from Fabrice Nguessi who forced Alfonso Blanco into a magnificent save in the 36th minute. Unable to breach the Mexican net, the Congolese suffered a further blow shortly after the break when they were reduced to ten men as Franchel Ibara picked up his second yellow card. Although they continued to attack, fatigue began to tell in the African team near the end and they shipped two late goals by way of Omar Esparza and Pablo Barrera. A Chorus of Oles rang out near the final whistle as Mexico and their supporters celebrated booking passage to the quarter-finals, where they will take on Argentina in Ottawa on 15 July. Congo, though, did much to light up these finals and their impressive presence will be missed.

Argentina 3  Poland 1
Despite a hearty effort by the Poles, Argentina's class won out on Thursday in Toronto as two-goal hero Sergio Aguero put on an awesome show. The Poles' counter-attacking tactic paid off in the 33rd minute when standout striker Dawid Janczyk slipped in behind two dozing defenders, collected a lofted ball and hammered clinically inside the far post. However, the sumptuous Argentines took only seven minutes to respond through a wonderful bit of team play. The sparkling Maximiliano Moralez completed a give-and-go with Aguero and crossed low for Angel Di Maria who lunged to strike from close range. Aguero's first touch of the second half brought a second goal - and a stunner at that. After deftly lifting the ball over his marker's head 40 seconds into the half, he raced into and tucked the ball inside the back post. After orchestrating the play for the rest of the half, he added a third in the 86th minute when he pounced on a loose ball and rounded the keeper elegantly before poking home. The South Americans now move on to meet the winner of Mexico v Congo in their quarter-final in Ottawa on 15 July while Poland - who had Janczyk sent off late in the game - pack their bags for home.

Nigeria 2  Zambia 1
In a repeat of the African qualifying competition, Nigeria's Flying Eagles had too much experience for their Zambian opponents, the Copper Bullets, who battled bravely before going down to a 2-1 defeat. The eagerly-anticipated all-African showdown, taking place on 12 July in Ottawa, did not take long to get going. Nigeria, runners-up at Netherlands 2005, struck the first blow after just three minutes, a powerful header from Uwa Echiejile doing the damage. Zambia, meanwhile, appeared somewhat out of their depth, keeper Jacob Banda having to be at his agile best to prevent the Flying Eagles extending their lead. However, a moment's indecision in the Nigerian backline let in Emmanuel Mayuka, who crossed for Rodgers Kola to level the game on the 33-minute mark. The stormy conditions that had plagued the first half eased after the interval, the sun finally emerging from behind the clouds. And with it came the decisive goal, Chukwuma Akabueze powering home a strike on 57 minutes worthy of winning any game. The scoreline would stay that way, despite the host of clear-cut chances that fell to both sides before the 90 minutes were up. Next up for the Flying Eagles is a trip to Montreal, where they will face either Chile or Portugal in the quarter-finals. The Copper Bullets, for their part, can make the long journey back to Zambia with their heads held high.

Chile 1  Portugal 0
A solitary goal by Arturo Vidal proved enough to send Chile into the last eight of Canada 2007 but he was sent off as they defeated nine-man Portugal at Edmonton's boiling hot and passionate Commonwealth Stadium on 12 July, 2007. Chile striker Alexis Sanchez was causing problems for Portugal as early as the fifth minute when he curled an unexpected low free-kick into the box and his attempted trick shot almost paid off, though Rui Patricio scrambled the ball away at his near post. Chile pressed hard and the Portuguese goalkeeper banged his head on the woodwork after producing a great stop to palm away Nicolas Medina's header. Rui Patricio was finally beaten just before half-time when Mauricio Isla's free-kick was nodded on by Medina and Vidal volleyed in from close range. Portugal played better after the break but Chile were still more threatening and Dagoberto Currimilla went close when he hit the side-netting after being released by Sanchez with a defence-splitting diagonal ball. Portugal had Zequinha and Mano sent off as they lost their cool when tempers flared in the final minute and Vidal also saw red after he received his second yellow in stoppage time.The Chileans will now fly to Montreal for a quarter-final tie against Nigeria on 15 July, while Portugal head back to Europe.