Brazil vs. Mexico U20 World Cup Semi-Final Highlights

Henrique scored both goals in the last ten minutes to see off Mexico and book Brazil a FIFA U-20 World Cup final against Portugal. The game had been pulsating yet goalless until the No19 headed home Negueba’s cross, and the No19 finished the job by tapping home following a great ball from another substitute in Dudu.

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Brazil Beats Mexico 2-0 to Set-Up U20 World Cup Final with Portugal

Portugal will meet Brazil in an Under-20 World Cup final which will pit the tournament's best defensive team against its most potent attacking combination.

Henrique scored twice in the last 10 minutes to lift Brazil to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Pereira. Henrique has five goals and shares the tournament scoring lead with Alvaro Vazquez of Spain. Brazil has scored a tournament-best 15 goals.

Mexico had some good opportunities to take the lead in an evenly fought game, but Brazil turned up the pressure in the final 20 minutes. Henrique scored with a header in the 80th minute and then slotted home an 8-meter shot from a cross for the clinching goal.

His second was perfectly executed. Danilo tapped a quick pass to Dudu, who crossed to Henrique to finish perfectly for his fifth goal of the tournament.

"In all games of the tournament we have used a strategy of trying to wear down the opponent,'' Brazil coach Ney Franco said. "In the second half we have sent in better technical players to finish the job."

Gabriel played most of the match with a swollen, half-closed eye after being unintentionally kicked by Erick Torres when he went down to smother a ball in the 16th minute.

The loss ended a great run for Mexico: the senior team defeated the United States in the Gold Cup final in June, and the Aztecs defeated Uruguay in the Under-17 World Cup final in July.

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Mexico tops Colombia 3-1 to reach semifinals

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -Mexico defeated Colombia 3-1 on Saturday to reach the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup, setting up a showdown with the winner of Sunday's match between tournament favorites Spain and Brazil.

Edson Rivera broke a 1-1 tie in the 69th minute with a header and then added a second goal in the 88th.

Mexico had taken an early lead in the 38th on Erick Torres' penalty before Colombia's Duvan Zapata equalized in the 60th.

The Under-20 tournament is adding to what is already a great year for Mexican football. The senior team won the regional championship, defeating the United States 4-2 in final of the Gold Cup. Mexico also won the Under-17 World Cup, beating Uruguay 2-0.

The loss was a heartbreaker for a 42,000 sellout crowd in Bogota, where Colombia had won its first four games.

Credit: sportsillustrated.cnn.com

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Mexico advances in U20 World Cup after draw

CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) – Mexico held England to a 0-0 draw to secure a spot in the second round of the Under-20 World Cup, leaving the English relying on other results in other groups to advance.

Argentina defeated North Korea 3-0 in Medellin earlier Thursday to top Group F with seven points, three more than Mexico. England ended with three points after three scoreless draws and will wait to see if it can advance as one of the four best third-place finishers among the six groups. North Korea was eliminated with one point from three matches.

Mexico had its greatest chance with a penalty in the 14th minute, but striker Taufic Guarch had his shot saved by England goalkeeper Jack Butland. The penalty was awarded after England defender Reece Brown's foul on Erick Torres inside the area.

Mexico dominated the action at the Estadio Olimpico Jaime Moron Leon in the coastal city of Cartagena. It created most of the scoring opportunities and controlled possession throughout the match.

England's most significant scoring opportunity came in the 56th when Callum McManaman's shot from inside the area was barely saved by Mexico goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez. Midfielder Dean Parrett also threatened in the 79th with a long-range right-foot shot that just missed over the crossbar.

England, playing the tournament without dozens of its top players, also had scoreless draws against North Korea and Argentina. Mexico lost 1-0 to Argentina and beat North Korea 3-0 in its earlier matches.

More than 30 eligible players were not released for England duty by their teams currently in pre-season training.

Credit: Fox News Latino 

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Mexico Kicks Off FIFA Under-20 World Cup Campaign (Via FMF State of Mind)

by Eben Lehman at FMF State of Mind in National Team News

Mexico's hopes for another wildly successful 2011 FIFA youth tournament begin on Friday, which marks the opening day of the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. The most intriguing match-up of the competition's first day looks to be the Group F showdown between Mexico and Argentina at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellin.

Up to this point, 2011 has been a very successful year for Mexico's U-20 team, highlighted by their championship campaign this spring in the CONCACAF U-20 Tournament. Manager Juan Carlos Chavez leads a squad loaded with attacking talent, and one that has grown together as a group over the past year. Unfortunately, the massive achievements of the younger U-17 national team earlier this summer may have inadvertently increased the pressure a bit on this group.

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