Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals of the Under-20 World Cup, scoring three first-half goals in 10 minutes on Wednesday to beat Uruguay 3-1.
The Brazilians now face Germany, who clinched a 3-2 win over Nigeria with an injury-time goal. Also on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates scored a late goal to beat first-time qualifier Venezuela 2-1.
Alan Kardec scored for Brazil in the 22nd minute, and Alex Texeira added more goals in the 24th and 31st minutes at Port Said.
Uruguay’s Jonathan Urretaviscaya pulled a goal back in the 36th, but missed a penalty late in the game.
”Without a doubt, a win like this, regardless of the stage (of the tournament), gives you extraordinary confidence, because it was a South American classic,” Brazil coach Rogerio Lourenco said.
Uruguay coach Diego Aguirre agreed the opening half hour was crucial.
”The first 30 minutes killed us,” he said. ”The reason? Brazil — they have quality players in every position, especially in attack.”
Bjorn Kopplin’s second goal of the match came in injury time after a 50-metre run for 10-man Germany to triumph over Nigeria in Suez on Wednesday.
The Nigerians took the lead with Danny Uchechi in the 51st minute, before Kopplin equalized a minute later.
Germany’s Tobias Kempe was sent off in the 64th for foul on Obiora Nwankwo.
Nigeria’s Rabiu Ibrahim scored in the 71st minute, elegantly turning before beating goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler. But substitute Mario Vrancic made it 2-2 in the 75th, before Kopplin hit his late winner.
‘I always believed we could come back. I knew we’d get one chance at the end and I told them to go for counterattacks,” Germany coach Horst Hrubesch said.
”The players seemed to have woken up after [the sending off]…
”If one player is sent off, the rest become more disciplined. Sometimes getting a red card works as an advantage that way.”
Ahmed Khalil scored an 83rd-minute winning goal to lead the UAE to victory over Venezuela, which was punished for a defensive mistake.
Venezuela took the lead in the 12th minute through Jose Rondon, but Mohamed Ahmed equalized with a glancing header in the 22nd minute.
”We like playing Latin American teams because we follow a similar school of football — being creative and fast on the ball,” UAE coach Mahdi Redha said.
The UAE faces Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.
Venezuela coach Cesar Farias said he had no regrets, adding that two of his defenders had braved injury to play.
””hat happened in out country over the past few weeks has been amazing,” Farias said. ”This tournament was a big deal for us…something special.” — Sapa-AP