U-20 SOCCER WORLD CUP 2011: Colombia crash out to Mexico

 

Mexico inflicted a crushing defeat upon host nation Colombia, sealing a 3-1 quarter-final victory in Bogota to book their place in the semi-finals.

An Erick Torres penalty gave El Tri a first-half lead, and although Duvan Zapata levelled the score in the second-half, substitute Edson Rivera bagged a brace to send Colombia crashing out at these finals.

Los Cafeteros began the night the more dangerous of the two sides, with goalscoring leader Luis Muriel threatening to add a fifth to his tournament tally. Before ten minutes, the No9 had his first crack on the Mexican goal, only to see it deflected. The Colombians were dominating proceedings throughout the first half, but the South Americans lacked a finishing touch. 

Duvan Zapata, who earned the start ahead of Jose Valencia, nearly got to the end of a Michael Ortega cross from the left side, but in fine form, Mexican goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez, punched away the chance. And on 20 minutes the keeper denied Muriel a superb chance, when he tipped the forward’s long-range shot over the bar.

Muriel was back at it again five minutes later in the right side of the area, but from a tight angle could only muster a shot off target.

James Rodriguez’s dropped a fine free-kick effort directly onto the head of Luciano Ospina in the area, but the defender was unable to keep his header down and on target. Muriel then provided a neat back-heel pass into the path of left-back Hector Quinones, but the No5 hit his chance over the crossbar.

At the other end, Mexico silenced the crowd in Botoga, as they took the lead against the run of play. Diego Reyes, attempting to get on to the end of a free-kick, was bundled over in the area by Juan Cabezas. The referee pointed to the spot, and Torres coolly slotted home the ensuing spot-kick. 

After the break, Mexico seemed keen on doubling their advantage. However, the host nation willed by their supporters in Bogota found the equaliser they desperately needed in the 60th minute. Proving his position in the starting XI, Zapata tried his luck from 30 yards, and to his satisfaction watched his shot creep right through the Mexican No1’s legs over the goalline.

But Mexico would have the final say. Just nine minutes later, the Colombians found themselves yet again a goal down as Ulises Davila’s pinpoint corner-kick found Rivera, who powered home with his head. Los Cafeteros searched for an answer, but both Ortega and Rodriguez had chances sail over the woodwork. 

The result was put beyond doubt on 88 minutes, when on the counter, Rivera scored his second much to Mexico’s delight and to the host nation’s despair.

3:1 (1:0)

• Erick TORRES (38' PEN)


• Edson RIVERA (69' 88')

• Duvan ZAPATA (60')

Quarter-finals

Mexico - Colombia

3:1 (1:0)

Match	Date	Time	Venue / Stadium	Attendance
45	13 August 2011	20:00	Bogota / Estadio Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin'	35501

Match Officials

Referee Cuneyt CAKIR (TUR)	Assistant Referee 1 Bahattin DURAN (TUR)
Fourth Official Markus STROMBERGSSON (SWE)	Assistant Referee 2 Tarik ONGUN (TUR)
Match Commissioner Hicham EL AMRANI (MAR)	Fifth Official Fredrik NILSSON (SWE)

Goals scored
• Erick TORRES (MEX) 38' Penalty goal,


• Duvan ZAPATA (COL) 60',


• Edson RIVERA (MEX) 69',


• Edson RIVERA (MEX) 88'

Mexico

Line-up
• [1]
  Jose RODRIGUEZ (GK)


• [3]
  Hector ACOSTA (-71')


• [4]
  Nestor ARAUJO


• [5]
  Diego DE BUEN [Y]


• [8]
  Carlos ORRANTIA


• [10]
  Erick TORRES (-87')


• [11]
  Ulises DAVILA


• [14]
  Jorge ENRIQUEZ (C)


• [15]
  Cesar IBANEZ [Y]


• [17]
  Alan PULIDO [Y] (-36')


• [18]
  Diego REYES

Substitute(s)
• [12]
  Carlos LOPEZ (GK)


• [21]
  Julio GONZALEZ (GK)


• [2]
  Kristian ALVAREZ [N]


• [6]
  Marvin PINON (+87')


• [7]
  Saul VILLALOBOS


• [9]
  Taufic GUARCH


• [13]
  Lugiani GALLARDO


• [16]
  Jorge VALENCIA (+71')


• [19]
  Edson RIVERA (+36')


• [20]
  David IZAZOLA

Coach

Juan Carlos CHAVEZ (MEX)

Colombia

Line-up
• [1]
  Cristian BONILLA (GK)


• [2]
  Luciano OSPINA


• [3]
  Pedro FRANCO (C) [Y]


• [4]
  Santiago ARIAS [Y]


• [5]
  Hector QUINONES


• [6]
  Didier MORENO [Y]


• [8]
  Michael ORTEGA (-76')


• [9]
  Luis MURIEL


• [10]
  James RODRIGUEZ [Y]


• [11]
  Duvan ZAPATA (-84')


• [13]
  Juan CABEZAS [Y] (-72')

Substitute(s)
• [12]
  Andres MARMOLEJO (GK)


• [21]
  Juan VILLATE (GK)


• [7]
  Fabian CASTILLO (+72')


• [14]
  Juan DIAZ


• [15]
  Yerson CANDELO


• [16]
  Jonny MOSQUERA


• [17]
  Javier CALLE (+76')


• [18]
  Sebastian PEREZ


• [19]
  Jeison MURILLO [N]


• [20]
  Jose VALENCIA (+84')

Coach

Eduardo LARA (COL)

Cautions
• Ulises DAVILA (MEX) 44'


• , Michael ORTEGA (COL) 59'


• , Jose RODRIGUEZ (MEX) 74'

Expulsions

Additional time
• First Half: 1'


• Second Half: 3'

Mexico (MEX)	Statistics	Colombia (COL)
9	Shots	21
4	Shots on goal	4
17	Fouls Committed	10
5	Corner kicks	12
1	Direct Free Kicks to Goal	2
0	Indirect Free Kicks to Goal	0
1 / 1	Penalty Kicks	0 / 0
0	Offsides	1
0	Own Goals	0
2	Cautions	1
0	Expulsions due to Second Caution	0
0	Direct Expulsions	0
46%	Possession (%)	54%
23	Actual playing time	27

a.e.t.:	After extra time	(C):	Captain	PSO:	Penalty Shoot-out
GK:	Goalkeeper	N:	Not eligible to play	I:	Injured
Y:	Yellow cards	Pos:	Positions	A:	Absent

 

Colombia-Mexico: Quotes

 

Juan Carlos Chavez, Mexico coach
"I’m delighted we’ve qualified, but I’m also sad that we’ve knocked out the hosts. The fact is, though, that we were better than the Colombians tonight, although we’re only in the semi-finals and we’re not champions yet. We came up against a good side and we had a tough time of it in the first half, though overall we played an intelligent game. My players were not overawed by the 40,000 crowd cheering the Colombians on, anything but. They showed they have a tremendous amount of character, and I told them that all the people of Mexico were willing them on. We kept possession, which was key tonight, because if you let players like James Rodriguez and Michael Ortega have the ball, then you’re going to have problems. I didn’t feel nervous at all tonight because we controlled the game. We had a problem with Alan Pulido, who was struggling from the kick-off. He wanted to come off after half an hour and I brought on Edson Rivera to replace him. The change paid off too, and I couldn’t be happier."

Eduardo Lara, Colombia coach
"I feel very, very sad because we wanted to go all the way for the people of Colombia. What I won’t accept, though, is people saying that the players are responsible for the defeat. If anyone made mistakes, then it was me. They gave their all on the pitch, and they brought joy to the country. They should be thanked for that. The turning point was the goal we conceded after 37 minutes because we were on top on the time. That changed the complexion of the game completely. We were really starting to dictate the game and then we gave away that penalty. Set-pieces cost us dear tonight. The penalty came straight from a free-kick and the second from a corner. After we equalised we started to reorganise, and we had James Rodriguez out on the left. The problem was that we conceded that second goal too quickly and then time started to fly by."

U-20 SOCCER WORLD CUP 2011: Colombia and Argentina, drama and devastation

 

THE DAY REPLAYED – Today's first quarter-final concluded in incomparable drama. Its second ceased in incomparable despair. Ultimately, as Portugal and Mexico were left celebrate last-four places, Argentina and Colombia were left to commiserate elimination.

The Iberians' finishing had deserted them during 120 goalless minutes with the record six-time champions, and it was effectively certain to cost them a place in the last four after spot-kicks from Danilo and Roderick were saved by Esteban Andrada. Portugal needed to convert their last two attempts and hope Argentina missed theirs just to take it to sudden death. And that is exactly what happened thanks to the reflexes of Mika, who went on to save his third penalty and clinch a 5-4 victory - and one of the most sensational shoot-out comebacks in football history - for Ilidio Vale's team.

The remaining game begin amid an exceptional atmosphere in Bogota, where the masses were raring to roar Colombia into the semis. Ninety minutes later and those supporters' dreams had been destroyed, a 3-1 success enhancing what is a magical meridian for Mexican football.

Results
Quarter-finalsPortugal 0-0 Argentina (Portugal win 5-4 on penalties)
Mexico 3-1 Colombia

Goal of the day
Four goals were scored today. The first was a mishit penalty which crept under Bonilla's body. The second was a strike that somehow went under legs of the Mexico keeper. The last was one that went through the hands of the Colombia No1. So while the third was hardly a goal of the tournament contender, it was well-taken, fundamental and worth its place here. Ulises Davila whipped in a corner and, despite having his vision impaired by two Colombian defenders, substitute Edson Rivera arched back his head and with it generated sufficient power to beat Bonilla and hit the roof of his net.

Memorable momentsBooing their ownPorto may be the Portuguese champions, but they didn't have one representative on the field as today's first quarter-final kicked off. That changed on the hour, though the incoming substitute got a boo rather than a cheer from the contingent of Dragões followers in Cartagena. That's because Argentina's Juan Iturbe was striving to harm the fans he will aim to please at club level.

Jelly breakAfter 90 exhausting minutes amid the high altitude of Cartagena, several of the Portuguese players tucked into an energiser. It was not, however, a banana or an energy bar. Instead, they were given a plastic spoon and tub filled with jelly!

Unseen supportWhen a Jose Rodriguez howler gifted Colombia an equaliser, his deputy keeper frantically tried to get the attention of the Guadalajara man to offer his support. Despite his desperate attempts, however, the flailing arms went unnoticed. Not that the blooper affected Rodriguez: he made fine saves from James Rodriguez and Luis Muriel thereafter to continue the trend of no host nation reaching the semi-finals since Argentina in 2001.

The stat480 – The number of minutes Portugal's Mika has gone without conceding in Colombia, leaving him just 12 minutes short of the record for a goalkeeper at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Chile's Christopher Toselli went 492 minutes unbeaten in 2007, while Taffarel managed 484 without leaking a goal in 1985. Furthermore, Mika's penalty-saving heroics helped the Portuguese return to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 16 years, and mean they have now won a record three shoot-outs in the event. Argentina, meanwhile, have now lost their last three shoot-outs in FIFA competitions, all against European opposition, following eliminations by Germany at the FIFA World Cup™ five years ago and Englnd at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last month.

Next upFrance and Nigeria will do battle at 3pm on Sunday for the right to face Portugal in the semi-finals, three hours before Brazil and Spain compete for a crack at Mexico.

Have your sayWhat have been the best penalty shoot-out comebacks you have ever seen?

U-20 SOCCER WORLD CUP: Colombia vs Mexico, Old rivals go head-to-head in Bogota

 

When Colombia and Mexico met in the semi-finals of the Toulon Tournament on 21 June, few would have foreseen a repeat of the fixture just a matter of weeks down the line. Even fewer would have predicted that the pair would be squaring off for a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup semi-finals. The last time the sides met, Eduardo Lara’s Cafeteros emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. Can they repeat the feat in front of their home crowd, or will El Tri finally take revenge?

The gameMexico-Colombia, Saturday 13 August, Bogota, 20.00 (local time)

The stakesColombia go into the quarter-finals on a high, thanks to a memorable, last-gasp victory over Costa Rica in the last 16. James Rodriguez’s penalty deep into second-half stoppage time made it four wins out of four, breathing new life into the Cafeteros and setting up a clash with another CONCACAF side. Eduardo Lara will be without Jeison Murillo, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards. Pedro Franco, Santiago Arias, James Rodriguez, Juan Cabezas and Didier Moreno will all need to be on their best behaviour, as another booking against Mexico would rule them out of off a possible semi-final appearance.

Mexico have spent more time on the field than their South American opponents, having defeated Cameroon in a gruelling penalty shoot-out in the last 16. El Tri have only found the net four times at the tournament so far, leading coach Juan Carlos Chavez to highlight his side’s lack of potency in front of goal. Nonetheless, he is confident that his men can spring a major upset in Bogota. They will have to do so without Kristian Alvarez, however, who misses the tie through suspension and will need to be replaced in defence. Diago De Buen, Cesar Ibanez and Alan Pulido, meanwhile, are all carrying yellow cards and will need to take extra care against Colombia.

The stat
8 – The number of years that have passed since three South American sides last reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Interestingly, at UAE 2003, the trio consisted of Brazil, Argentina and Colombia – the same three sides that have reached the last eight at Colombia 2011.

The words“It’s going to be a very special match, and a tight one at that. Hopefully we’ll be at our best and show good character. It’ll be eleven against eleven with 50,000 fans in the stadium cheering the sides on, but ultimately they are not the ones on the pitch,” Juan Carlos Chavez, Mexico coach.

“I know the Mexicans well, and several of my friends are in the squad. They run and run, which makes things difficult. I mentioned this to coach Lara not long after we entered the changing room. We can beat them, and we have to beat them to move closer towards the title,” Colombia winger Michael Ortega, who plays for Mexican club side Atlas.

Mundial Sub-20 FIFA 2011: ¡Qué baile el de Colombia!, goleó 4-1 a Francia en El Campín

Una mancha tricolor lució imponente en estadio El Campín. A nadie le importó el inclemente frío ni la torrencial lluvia que se soportó durante toda la tarde y parte de la noche: el esfuerzo y el sacrificio valieron la pena para ver a Colombia que, en su debut en el Mundial Sub-20, entregó una cálida victoria frente a Francia, 4-1. (Vea la galería de fotos del partido).
Solo habían pasado dos minutos de juego cuando Michael Ortega calentó los ánimos con un remate que se estrelló en el horizontal. Un 'Trencito' Valencia incisivo, un Luis Muriel deseoso y la magia de James Rodríguez emocionaban a la afición, que debió esperar una hora de más para ver al equipo, por el retraso que generó la lluvia.
Sin embargo, cayó un baldado de agua fría, peor que toda la soportada en la tarde: a los 21 minutos del primer tiempo Gilles Sunu sacó en remate desde fuera del área, era el 0-1, que no silenció la algarabía de la tribuna, que, en una muestra de respaldo, animó a Colombia para buscar el empate con un efusivo ¡sí se puede! Y el empate llegó, James Rodríguez anotó de penalti, a los 30 minutos, en un cobro magistral, tras una falta a Santiago Arias.
Con el 1-1 se fueron al entretiempo, y ahí, la ola en las tribunas evitó que los cuerpos se congelaran. Las emociones estaban por llegar. Sólo dos minutos pasaron del segundo tiempo, cuando James, con su magia, le entregó de tacó un pase preciso a Muriel, quien para adornar la jugada previa, engañó a su rival con un enganche y sacó un latigazo: fue el 2-1.
Colombia siguió de largo: Arias marcó el tercero, otra vez, tras pase de James, y el cuarto fue, de nuevo, de Muriel, que ratificó así su deseo de ser el goleador del torneo.
Ya todo era fiesta en El Campín, acompañada de '¡oles!' y algarabía. Incluso, James Rodríguez desperdició un penalti que no acalló su vitoreo en las tribunas, ya que la gente siempre lo respaldó. Entonces, el partido ya fue de trámite, con una Colombia divirtiendo a la afición y con una Francia entregada y resignada, a pesar de haber complicado en la primera parte.

La fría noche y el chaparrón soportado tuvieron su recompensa. El equipo se despidió en medio de aplausos de reconocimiento para estos nuevos héroes, que a pesar de tener un flojo arranque, supieron imponerse a Francia para comenzar a labrar el camino que se trazaron: llegar a la final y, por qué no, ser campeones. Por ahora, la mancha tricolor celebra, Colombia le dio motivos para calentar los ánimos del Mundial.