Arizmendi strikes gold for Spain

An extra-time winner from Javier Arizmendi landed Spain a FIFA World Youth Championship semi-final date with Columbia but Armando Ufarte's side had to battle for 30 minutes with 10 men to beat Canada 2-1 on Friday.

Brisk start
Canada took a brisk start to the game attempting to stun their rivals early on with Josh Simpson breaking through after three minutes only to have the ball whipped from his toes in front of goal. Soon after, Jason Di Tullio tried his luck from long range but his effort was directed straight at Spanish keeper Asier Riesgo.

Penalty appeal
After riding out the initial Canadian onslaught, Spain took control of the game and began to pile on the pressure at the opposite end. Jaime Gavilán's free-kick was deflected into the arms of Alim Karim on 10 minutes and then Juanfran lost possession just as he prepared to strike for goal. Spanish claims for a penalty when Sergio García was floored by Karim in the 24th minute fell on deaf ears as ref Wilson Sousa pointed for a free-kick just outside the area.

Iniesta slides home
Spain took the lead on 34 minutes, Andrés Iniesta latching onto a deep pass to slide the ball past Karim for his second strike of the tournament. Minutes later, a potent Gabi volley crashed back into play off the post as Spain stepped up their offensive.

Hume stunner
Canada resorted to similar tactics during the second half, trying to catch their opponents off guard from the off. Hume levelled on 53 minutes in spectacular fashion, launching a long-range strike that had Riesgo well beaten. The striker watched in disbelief as his 25-metre free-kick thudded into Spain's post just moments later.

Spain cut down
Spain were dealt a further blow when Víctor 'Vitolo' Añino was shown his second yellow card of the match and ordered off by Sousa. Now severely outnumbered, the Spaniards were unable to make any inroads into Canada's half during the remaining minutes of the match.

Golden goal
With the scores level after 90 minutes, the game when into extra-time and was ended in dramatic fashion, substitute Javier Arizmendi picking up a long ball in the area and dribbling past Karim to tap home a golden goal winner on 95 minutes.

Late heartbreak
In the other quarter-finals, Javier Mascherano's equaliser deep into stoppage time cancelled out Bobby Covery's 59th-minute strike and sent the match between Argentina and the United States into extra time. Fernando Cavenaghi scored the golden goal winner for the South American side in the 100th minute from the penalty spot.

Brazilian flamboyance
Meanwhile, Victor Montano's 14th-minute effort proved enough for Colombia to edge out host nation the UAE, while it was much more comfortable for Brazil. Two goals from Daniel Carvalho and one from Kleber gave the South Americans a 3-0 lead against Japan inside 15 minutes, and Nilmar made it four before half-time. Sota Hirayama scored a consolation goal a minute from time, but Brazil had the last word, Nilmar scoring his second and his team's fifth a minute into added time.

Colombian challenge
Spain face Colombia in the semi-finals while Brazil and Argentina meet, with both matches to be played on 15 December.