20-Sep-2001
Argentina dump Spain out in sensational six-goal thriller
Argentina came from behind to beat 10-man Spain 4-2 and qualify for the
knock-out phase as Group C winners at the FIFA U-17 World Championship
Trinidad & Tobago 2001 presented by JVC.
Trailing 2-1 at the break in their final group game, a stunning second-half
display saw the South American side score three goals and dash Spain's hopes
of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Argentina will now face Mali, while Group
C runners-up Burkina Faso take on Costa Rica on Monday 24 September.
Argentina for the third time running began the game in blistering fashion,
scoring after just three minutes. Following a neat one-two, Carlos Tevez cut
inside from the left and Spain's right-back Jesus was adjudged to have handled
the ball, and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.
Captain Hugo Colace's penalty struck the inside of the left post on its way
into the net.
Spain, knowing full well that nothing short of a win would see them through to
the next round, responded immediately. An in-swinging free-kick from Diego Leon
was flicked on by Fernando Torres but fell just wide of goal. A minute later,
Andres Iniesta floated a beautiful ball over the top of the Argentine defence
and Fernando Torres, again slipping his marker, flicked another header, this
time over the top.
There were already signs that the introduction of Diego Leon to play alongside
Iniesta in midfield was providing more fluidity to the Spanish game. His free-
kick was tipped over by Lucas Molina as Spain searched desperately for an
equaliser. It finally came on 23 minutes.
Iniesta, standing in as captain for the injured Carlos Garcia, found Guillermo
Bauza on the right. The midfielder skipped through two challenges before calmly
slotting a shot under the advancing keeper. Spain, playing with a
determination that had been absent in their first two games, were rampant.
It was Real Madrid youth-team player Diego Leon who was again at the heart of
things in the move for Spain's second goal on the half-hour mark.
Following a surging run from midfield, his pass found Jose Lafuente "Senel" and
the striker with the outside of his boot steered his shot neatly into the
corner of the net. Minutes later and it was nearly 3-1. A long ball from left
to right from Jaime Gavilan found Atletico de Madrid's Fernando Torres but the
off-balance striker was simply unable to lob the ball into the net.
Argentina appeared stunned. But with seconds remaining before the break they
nearly equalised. Put through, River Plate striker Maxi Lopez was unable to
lift the ball over advancing keeper Miguel Moya.
At the start of the second-half, Spain almost made it 3-1 again, when Senel was
sent clear on goal but just at the vital moment the ball got caught under his
feet and his shot was knocked cleared for a corner.
Argentina, needing only a draw to qualify, hit back. Playmaker Lucas Correa
advanced on goal and with defenders backing away, hit a left-footed shot,
which was brilliantly turned on to the right-hand post by Moya.
But on 57 minutes it was 2-2. This time Maximiliano Lopez headed towards goal
and hit a sweet right-foot drive into Moya's other corner.
With so much hanging in the balance, the tension inside the packed Ato Boldon
stadium, Couva was almost unbearable. Both Spanish and Argentinean flags were
prominent in the 9,300-strong crowd and flapped furiously in an attempt to
urge the teenagers forward for a final effort.
On 62 minutes Spain were reduced to 10-men when right-back Jesus Fernandez was
sent off for a second cautionable offence.
With less than half an hour remaining Torres, who had been pleading for the
ball up front, beat two players before hitting a pile-driver which was
well-saved by Molina.
Argentina hit back with 20 minutes to go. Pablo Zabaleta cut in from the right
flank and curled a left-foot shot which sailed just wide of goal.
Two minutes later, Correa released Zabaleta again and this time the
right-winger's rasping shot found the top right-hand corner of the net to make
it 3-2 to Argentina.
With 15 minutes remaining Spain found the net but the linesman saw a raised
hand and Miguel Flano was booked for his best "hand of god" imitation.
On 83 minutes, Spain's dream was well and truly over. Marcos Aguirre broke the
offside trap and finished calmly to make it 4-2.
JVC Best Player of the Match as selected by FIFA was Pablo Zabaleta of
Argentina.
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