Argentinian player
The big shock, on a day on which Austria and Ukraine both advanced to the last 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, was the elimination of Argentina. Held to a 0-0 draw by the Austrians in Wellington, the six-time champions were condemned to an early exit by the host nation’s 5-1 defeat of Myanmar.
It was an unforgettable night for the All Whites, who came from a goal down to swamp the Asian debutants and finish on four points in Group A, giving them every chance of advancing to the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams. Ukraine topped the pool after easing to a 3-0 defeat of the USA, who finished second.
The Argentinians, who went into the day needing to win and for the New Zealanders to fail to do so, were on the front foot for most of their match against the Austrians but could not find a way past the impressive Tino Casali.
The South Americans’ first-round exit is their first since Portugal 1991, while Austria find themselves in the last 16 for only the second time in their history.
Top spot in Group B was claimed by Ghana, who beat Panama 1-0 to take their points tally to seven. A game that had seemed destined to remain goalless was settled by Emmanuel Boateng’s late solo effort.
Ukraine were once again indebted to the razor-sharp finishing of Viktor Kovalenko, who scored all three in his side’s defeat of USA. The Americans tested Bohdan Sarnavskyi in the Ukraine goal but were very much second best as they relinquished top spot to the eastern Europeans.
