UNDER-20 WORLD CUP: EL SALVADOR 0-3 COLOMBIA

EL SALVADOR 0-3 COLOMBIA

In their final group game, Colombia smashed El Salvador 3-0 to cement their place in the knockout stages and top Group C, thanks to another masterclass from the playmaking prodigy Juan Fernando Quintero.

In their final group game, Colombia cruised to a 3-0 win over lowly El Salvador to cement their place in the knockout stages and top Group C, thanks to another masterclass from the playmaking prodigy Juan Fernando Quintero.

Early goals by Andres Reneria and Jhon Cordoba set the South American Under-20 champions on their way to a relaxed evening’s work, with Quintero rounding it off with a special goal.

It was a active start from both sides as they showed their attacking intent in the opening minutes and it was Los Cafeteros that got the lead on 21 minutes. A vicious strike from Andres Renteria inside the box after some neat control inside the area.

A few minutes later, things went from bad to worse for the aspiring Salvadorians. Olivier Ayala pulled on the shirt of striker Jhon Cordoba and the referee pointed to the spot. The Jaguares striker coolly rolling the ball into the bottom left corner while goalkeeper Rolando Morales dived the opposite direction.

The El Salvadorians needed to grab a draw to have any chance of progressing and just before half-time a speculative effort from Diego Coca, trying to lob goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla from 30 yards, showed that the underdogs were not forfeiting.

The second-half began llike the first, with El Salvador looking buoyed by the break, but the Colombians slowly began to control the possession again. The impressive and tricky Cristian Palomeque had a the chance to stretch their lead, controlling superbly from a long pass, but after trying to round Morales, he placed the shot wide.

The player of the tournament so far Quintero was bossing the game, and after scoring a stunning winner against Turkey in their last game, he tried a few ambitious efforts from distance in the hope of adding to his tally.

Fully in power of the game, it looked like Colombia could score at anytime, and it should have when substitute Brayan Perea of Lazio headed over unmarked in the area. The masterful Quintero then created another chance for him with a superb through pass, but the shot was poor.

Finally, before the referee wrapped the game up, Quintero hit a special goal in stoppage-time. An great individual display taking the ball to the edge of the area and thundering home a left-footed strike that gave Morales no chance.

The result means the Colombians finish top with seven points, followed by Turkey (who defeat Australia 2-1) on six, with El Salvador on three points, but a goal difference of minus four looks set to deny them passage as a best third-place side. The Young Socceroos of Australia finish last with just the single point.