Spain march on

By Luke Williams

There was extra-time heartbreak for Slovakia and Republic of Ireland, but joy for Spain as the FIFA World Youth Championship second round concluded on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates with just one European representative left standing.

Canada lie in wait
The Spanish continued to justify their lofty billing with a 1-0 victory against Paraguay which sets up a quarter-final showdown with surprise package Canada, themselves 1-0 victors against Burkina Faso. Spain's winner came in the 66th minute from Sergio García, who slotted the ball into the net from close range after earlier missing several chances to give his side the lead.

Stinging shot
Spain looked the more composed side throughout the opening 45 period with the best chance falling to Sergio García, who rifled a stinging shot against the upright. Paraguay made several advances on the Spanish goal but were held in check by some solid defending.

Series of attacks
The Paraguayans started the second half well, with Dante López, Julio dos Santos and Haedo all going close. Spain's Andrés Iniesta then sent Sergio García clean through only for the striker to see his double effort stopped by opposing goalkeeper Anthony Silva.

Making amends
Sergio García made amends soon afterwards, giving Spain the lead to his obvious relief, but José Ufarte's side had to weather a nail-biting last ten minutes as Paraguay peppered Asier Riesgo's goal. Indeed, Dante López almost equalised in the dying seconds but his shot was deflected just wide of the post.

Relieved Ufarte
Ufarte was therefore a relieved man at the final whistle. "We ended up having a hard time because Paraguay have some very tall players," he said. "I think we deserved to win because we created more chances. Next up is Canada. It's a crunch game ... everyone's going to have to perform if we want to be in the semis."

Slovakia bow out
Meanwhile, Slovakia bowed out of the competition after an extra-time 2-1 defeat against Brazil. Dudu's golden goal broke the hearts of Peter Polák's side, who were reduced to ten men at the end of normal time after the sending off of Kamil Kopunek.

Brazilian storm
After braving a storm of pressure for the best part of an hour, the Slovakians sensationally took the lead in the 60th minute when striker Filip Šebo, back from flu after missing two games, headed Juraj Halenar's corner into the net.

Dudu clincher
With just eight minutes remaining though Dudu struck an excellent equaliser and after Kopunek's dismissal Brazil did not look back, clinching victory, and a tie against Japan, five minutes into the first period of extra time. "We were well prepared," reflected Polák after the match. "We knew how strong they were in midfield, and succeeded in keeping it tight in that area, but a minor error five minutes from time put paid to all our good work."

Ireland vanquished
Ireland were also vanquished by a golden goal in equally shattering circumstances. Trailing 2-0 against Colombia with just five minutes left, they seemed to have conjured a great escape as Kevin Doyle struck in the 85th minute and then Paddy McCarthy scored two minutes into added time to draw them level.

Credit to Colombia
However Colombia, for whom Edixon Perea and Victor Montano earlier scored, regrouped superbly, clinching a place in the next round 14 minutes into extra-time when Erwin Carrillo struck. Despite losing, Ireland coach Gerry Smith was full of pride in his players. "I wouldn't say 100 per cent proud, I'd say 150 per cent proud," he said. "We had our chances to win, but Colombia played a fantastic match too. I think we were unlucky and that the Colombians will go far in the tournament."

Other games
In other games, hosts the United Arab Emirates delighted their home fans by beating Australia 1-0 to move into the last eight where they will play Colombia. Favourites Argentina, 2-1 extra-time winners against Egypt, will face the United States, who overcame Côte d'Ivoire, in the last quarter-final.

FIFA World Youth Championship match schedule:
(European countries in bold)
Quarter-finals:

Semi-finals: