FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Ghana shock six-time champions Argentina

USA become first team to reach knockout stages after crushing hosts New Zealand

WELLINGTON: Ghana stunned favourites Argentina 3-2 at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Tuesday, with Ukraine demolishing Myanmar 6-0 and USA advancing to leave hosts New Zealand facing an early exit.

Six-time champions Argentina, already reeling after a 2-2 draw with unfancied Panama, were 3-0 down and looked completely outclassed before a late fightback.

They face a real chance of elimination in the group stages for the first time since 1991 if they cannot win their final Group B match against Austria.

In Group A, USA became the first team to reach the knockout stages with a 4-0 victory over New Zealand, while Ukraine unleashed a second-half blitz against Myanmar.

But it was 2009 champions Ghana who made a statement, hustling the highly-rated Argentinians and pulling apart their defence with pace and clever passing.

The Africans led 1-0 at half-time, thanks to lanky striker Benjamin Tetteh’s clinical finish on the edge of the box.

A counterattacking goal to Clifford Aboagye and a Yaw Yeboah appeared to have sealed the fixure until Giovanni Simeone put Argentinian on the scoresheet in the 80th minute.

The shell-shocked Argentinians finally came to life, hitting overdrive after Emiliano Buendia’s effort in the 90th minute set up a tense eight minutes of extra time.

Austria take advantage of unruly Panama

Elsewhere in Group B, Panama made a bright start against Austria thanks to a piece of brilliance from Fidel Escobar in the 38th minute.

Escobar took off deep within his own half, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake after a crisp one-two with Jesus Gonzalez, then fired home from the edge of the box.

But Austria took control with goals either side of half-time, the first when Panama skipper Chin Hormechea deflected Martin Rasner’s free kick in and the second a Valentin Grubeck header.

Panama’s wretched night continued with two players sent off in two minutes late in the game, as Hormechea received a second yellow and defender Lius Pereira straight red for a diving handball on the line.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.