USA became the latest team to reach the knockout stages as they scored three late goals against France at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™. Elsewhere, Nigeria hit a 94th-minute penalty to eliminate Saudi Arabia, South Africa put five past New Caledonia and a stubborn Norway defence kept Colombia in check for a scoreless draw.
Group E
USA 3-0 France
USA goals: Zavier Gozo (85), Brooklyn Raines (88), Marcos Zambrano (90+2)
USA left it late to sink France in Rancagua.
After a first half of few chances, The States were the better side in the second and almost found the opener when Niko Tsakiris crossed for Benjamin Cremaschi, but he was foiled by a stunning Lisandru Olmeta save low to his left. USA kept pressing and eventually found the breakthrough, as substitute Luke Brennan crossed for fellow sub Zavier Gozo to head home. Gozo was involved again soon after, slipping through Brooklyn Raines to finish. Marcos Zambrano tacked on a late third, guiding home a rebound after Gozo hit the crossbar.
Quotes
“I feel like we prepare ourselves for these high-pressure moments, and I feel like this is just a testament to how hard we work. I feel like every single player on this team is prepared to make an impact on the team, so he [coach Marko Mitrovic] just told me to come and make an impact, and that’s what I did.”
Zavier Gozo, USA forward
“We played well throughout the match until the 85th minute when we cracked. These are mistakes made by young players; we mustn’t crack like that. We were holding on to a 0-0 draw. We could have scored, we had chances, but unfortunately we didn’t score. Then we were punished with a silly goal that we could easily have avoided. Now we’re going to stay focused. We have one win, we still have one game left. We have to go for the win to qualify. We’re not going to let our heads drop. Today, we weren’t able to hold on to the game. We’re going to re-energize everyone, both the staff and the players. We can’t afford to lose 3-0, not the French team. We’re not allowed.”
Steven Baseya, France defender
Stat
USA are now unbeaten in three U-20 World Cup matches with France. They drew 1-1 in the 2013 group stage, followed by a 3-2 win in the 2019 Round of 16.
South Africa 5-0 New Caledonia
South Africa goals: Siviwe Nkwali (25), Shakeel April (34), Siviwe Magidigidi (44, 52), Lazola Maku (80)
South Africa secured their first points of Chile 2025 with a routine win over New Caledonia.
The OFC side started brightly but fell behind when Siviwe Nkwali headed in a corner midway through the opening term. Their second wasn’t far behind as Siviwe Magidigidi was sent tumbling in the area, leaving Shakeel April to roll in the penalty. Magidigidi then added his name to the scoresheet, powering home an effort from just inside the box.
Raymond Mdaka’s men continued to push in the second half and added a fourth through another close-range Magidigidi strike. Lazola Maku completed the rout with a well-placed left-footed shot from the edge of the area.
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Group F
Colombia 0-0 Norway
Colombia and Norway settled for a share of the spoils in their second group outing in Talca.
There were looks at goal for both sides in the opening half-hour, with Neyser Villareal’s left-footed shot hooked just wide serving as the best of the bunch.
Colombia were inching closer to a goal, with Yeimar Mosquera smacking an open header right at Norway shot-stopper Einar Fauskanger and then Villareal thumping the crossbar with a volley. It was all Colombia as the second stanza wore on, and it took a fingertip save from Fauskanger to prevent a late winner from Joel Romero.
Quotes
“I feel that this is a good result. Today we played against a team that was better than us, but once again we defended very well. In the first half, I think they created one-and-a-half chances, so we had control of the game but couldn’t create anything because the pace of the game was fast, even though we were better with the ball. So we held on and got a point that could be very important.”
Bjorn Johansen, Norway coach
“I’m pleased, we searched everywhere, we attacked from all sides, in all areas, on all lanes. I have nothing to reproach the players for, they searched, they tried, we were close. We lacked that touch of quality in the final third, but I know we will achieve that as we progress.”
Cesar Torres, Colombia coach
Stat
Colombia are unbeaten in seven of their previous eight group-stage ties against European opposition at this tournament
Nigeria 3-2 Saudi Arabia
Nigeria goals: Nasiru Salihu (10), Amos Ochoche (38), Daniel Bameyi (90+4)
Saudi Arabia goals: Amar Al Yuhaybi (21), Talal Haji (51)
Two teams looking to bounce back after first-up defeats played out a thriller in Talca, as Nigeria converted a late penalty to snatch a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia.
Well taken Nigerian goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche either side of a delightful Amar Al Yuhaybi dink saw a breathless opening term end 2-1 in favour of the Flying Eagles.
Six minutes after the resumption Talal Haji, on as a half-time substitute, latched on to a lofted Mohammed Barnawi ball to loop a header past Ebenezar Harcourt to restore parity for a second time.
Just when things seemed headed for a draw, Nigeria were awarded a late penalty that captain Daniel Bameyi converted in the fourth minute of stoppage time. That result sends the Flying Eagles third in the section while Saudi Arabia are eliminated.
Stat
Amar Al Yuhaybi’s strike for Saudi Arabia means all 24 teams have netted at least once at these finals. The last time that happened was at New Zealand 2015.
