Ghana beat Portugal to book quarter-final spot
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Substitute Yiadom Boakye set up the equaliser and then scored a late winner as Ghana came from behind to beat Portugal 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup yesterday.
Ghana were 2-1 down when Boakye came on the 75th. Four minutes later, Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa saved his shot but allowed Michael Anaba to pounce on the rebound for the equaliser. Boakye then followed up by sending a free kick through the two-man wall in the 85th.
Kennedy Ashia had put Ghana ahead with a 25-metre effort in the 19th minute. However, defenders Tiago Ferreira and Edgar both scored within the space of three minutes to put Portugal 2-1 up in the 73rd.
Ghana, the only African nation in the quarter-finals, next play Chile, who beat Croatia 2-0 with two late goals.
Ghana were the last team to qualify for the knockout stage, after losing two group matches and narrowly advancing on goal difference following a 4-1 defeat of the United States.
Portugal, the 2011 runner-up, had scored the most goals in the group stage, but failed to convert two early chances. Aladje was left unmarked but sent his effort over the crossbar after 15 seconds while Bruma, who scored five times in three group matches, shot wide a minute later.
Portugal dominated possession but ultimately paid the price for failing to make it count.
Chile similarly controlled large parts of their match against Croatia, who have never gone beyond the round of 16, but created few chances.
Nicolas Castillo finally broke the deadlock when he was set up by Sebastian Martinez and headed the ball backward over Croatia goalkeeper Oliver Zelenika in the 81st. Four minutes later, Croatia defender Jozo Simunovic sent a Christian Bravo cross past his own goalkeeper.
Chile finished third in 2007, but failed to qualify for the next two editions.
Meanwhile, South Korea beat Colombia 8-7 in a penalty shootout to book their spot, while Irag advanced after 1-0 extra time win over Paraguay.