Spain beat Ukraine and is already among the eight best in the U-20 World Cup. If the 'Tricolor' beats South Africa, they will face the Iberian team in the quarterfinals.
Photo: EFE – ESTEBAN GARAY
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Spain has already taken the first step towards the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup being held in Chile. The Iberian team beat Ukraine 1-0 in Valparaísowith a solitary goal from Pablo García, and now a rival awaits: he will leave the duel between Colombia and South Africa, who will face each other this Wednesday in Talca. If the 'tricolor' advances, they will face one of the great candidates for the title.
The Spanish victory confirmed the recovery of a generation that returned to the youth tournament after twelve years of absence. Far from the initial hesitation – in the group stage he qualified as the best third after a epic closing against Brazil—, the team led by Santi Denia established itself as one of the strongest teams in the championship. García, a Real Betis figure, summed up the feeling of the locker room: “So much work and effort is worth it when you win this way.”
On the other hand, Colombia arrives at its meeting with South Africa with mixed feelings. César Torres' team was first in Group F, but left the impression that it still has room to grow. Their football has been more dominant than effective: it generates possession, imposes pace and shows solidity in the midfield, but lacks aim.
The goals have been few and are distributed between Óscar Perea and Kéner González, while the forwards Nirse Villarreal and Emilio Aristizábal have not yet celebrated in the tournament. “We need our nines to score goals,” the coach acknowledged after closing the initial phase.
The African rival promises a demanding test. South Africa arrives launched, after a brilliant closing in Group E: they beat New Caledonia 5-0 and beat the United States 2-1after falling in their debut against France. With talent and confidence, “Bafana Bafana” seek to reach the quarterfinals of a U-20 World Cup for the first time. Their offense combines speed and imbalance, led by Study Vilakazi —de los Kaizer Chiefs— y Lange Philione of the most unbalanced extremes of the tournament.
He Talca Fiscal Stadium It will once again be the scene of the Colombian challenge, the same one where they played all their group stage matches and where they will try to prolong their good streak. If you can beat South Africa, The 'Tricolor' will reach the quarterfinals for the sixth time in the history of the categoryand will face a Spain that is on the rise and with its sights set on repeating the glory of 1999.
A high-voltage event appears on the horizon: Colombia versus Spain, a match that would test the methodical style of the Iberians against the ambition and rhythm of a South American team that wants to make a coup of authority. But first, Torres' team must overcome a rival who, although without history in these instances, promises to make the path difficult for anyone. The challenge is served.
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