FIFA U20 World Cup: End of the road for Amajita after defeat to Colombia

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FIFA U20 World Cup: End of the road for Amajita after defeat to Colombia

South Africa will not be in the quarter-final of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup following a 3-1 loss to Colombia in their Round of 16 match on Wednesday night.

Amajita had it rough at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile as they were totally outplayed by the South Americans who fully deserved to win.

Raymond Mdaka’s team were under pressure as soon as the whistle went as Colombia employed a quick attacking game that South Africa struggled to cope with.

After just two minutes, South Africa survived when a poor attempt to play out from the back by goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe saw him leave his foot on Joel Morales as he rushed to clear the ball.

Colombia asked for a review of the incident, hoping for a penalty, but after looking at the monitor, the referee’s earlier decision not to award a spot kick stood.

End-to-end first half

The Amajita goalkeeper would be forced to dive low to keep out another attempt a minute later, but he could do nothing in the seventh minute when the South Americans went ahead.

Oscar Perea floated in a good ball in the box and Morales stole it from the South Africa defenders, slamming past Smythe-Lowe with a first-time shot.

South Africa’s first opportunity arrived in the 16th minute when Shakeel April saw his well-executed attempt fly just over the top corner but in the 23rd minute, Smythe-Lowe came to their rescue again with a fine save, using his foot, after Kener Nicolas Gonzalez hammered in against the run of play.

Mfundo Vilakazi had opportunities for Mdaka’s charges with a couple of ferocious shots just out of the box that drew out two great saves from Colombia goalkeeper Jordan Javier García.

Amajita’s tenacity pay off

Vilakazi and April had been giving the Colombia defence problems just before halftime and started the second half as they finished the first, as just one minute back, they had a glorious opportunity.

Garcia slipped as he attempted to start play from the back but fouled Siviwe Magidigidi, who was closing in, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Colombia protested, leading to a review of the monitor but the referee returned with his earlier verdict. Valakazi stepped up but saw Garcia save his penalty and the subsequent rebound.

However, luck smiled for South Africa as the referee ordered the penalty retaken after spotting Garcia with both his feet off the line before he saved the first one and Vilakazi did not make mistakes this time as he tucked it home for 1-1.

How did Colombia finish off SA?

After this, it was all Colombia with only poor finishing, bad decision-making and Smythe-Lowe’s saves preventing South Africa from conceding.

However, the South Americans kept asking the questions and got the answer in the 62nd minute when Neiser Villarreal slammed the ball into the top corner after a great interchange of passes as South Africa struggled with their pace and movement.

Amajita had few opportunities in the second half as they hanged on for dear life but when they pushed numbers forward very late in the game, Colombia launched a counter-attack that was completed by Villarreal for the 3-1 score line against the African champions who fall at the Round of 16 yet again in their second appearance at the World Cup.

Colombia proceeded to the quarter-final where they will play Spain.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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