FIFA U-17 World Cup, USA vs Colombia highlights: COL win 3-1, enter round of 16

Goals from Juan Vidal, Juan Penaloza and Deider Caicedo powered Colombia to a  3-1 win over USA in their final Group A match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. The result created a three-way tie of six points each for Ghana, Colombia and the USA in the standings. Ghana topped the group via goal difference after their 4-0 vs India in New Delhi. Colombia, who finished second, progressed while US would also reach the pre-quarters as one of the four best third-placed teams from the group stage. Get full-time score and highlights of USA vs Colombia match here. (India vs Ghana live | POINTS TABLE | SCHEDULE)

10:12 pm IST: That’s it from the Group A USA vs Colombia match in Navi Mumbai -- a day that saw a brilliant show from the South American side. Indian campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup ended on Thursday in New Delhi, after they lost to Ghana.

10:03 pm IST: With the results, Ghana topped Group A and Colombia finished second. USA, with six points, are in No 3 spot and should progress to the round of 16 as one of the four best third placed teams from the group stage.

9:59 pm IST: That’s it, referee blows the final whistle at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Colombia beat USA 3-1 and progress to the round of 16 stage from Group A, alongside Ghana, who beat India 4-0 in New Delhi.

9:54 pm IST: Chance goes begging for USA as Ayo Akinola fails to capitalise on a ball from substitute Tim Weah. Colombia lead 3-1

9:52 pm IST: Six minutes of added time in the match. Colombia lead 3-1.

9:49 pm IST: 87th minute, Colombia go 3-1 up, Deider Caicedo taps the ball into the net from a cross from the left.

9:47 pm IST: Goal. Colombia score though a strike by Deiber Caicedo. Lead 3-1.

9:42 pm IST: USA trying to push the ball up a little. Colombia goalkeeper rushes out to cut off a ball to Sargent. COL lead 2-1 with seven minutes of regular time left to play.

9:35 pm IST: If it stays this way in Group A (India 0-2 Ghana and USA 1-2 Colombia), it will be six points each for USA, Colombia and Ghana and goal difference would come into play.

9:34 pm IST: Colombia are all over the US defence now, Juan Penaloza has another good attempt

9:33 pm IST: USA goalkeeper is again tested by substitute Yadir Menesis, but he does well to tip the shot over and US survive

9:28 pm IST: All that attacking intent showed by Colombia pay off. Juan Penaloza scores a stunner from an acute angle. Colombia lead USA 2-1.

9:26 pm IST: It’s a goal. Colombia strike to take 2-1 lead.

9:24 pm IST: Colombia are getting into their rhythm, Andres Perea stretches the US goalkeeper with a shot from the top of the box. Colombia have a free-kick at the edge of the box on the left side of the box.

9:20 pm IST: With Ghana leading 2-0, Colombia have to get a positive result against US to stay in contention. Colombia are getting into their rhythm, Andres Perea stretches the US goalkeeper with a shot from the top of the box. Scores are tied 1-1.

9:17 pm IST: Colombia pull out their playmaker Brayan Gomez, who suffered a cut on his head in the first half. Midfielder Yadir Meneses is in for Gomez

9:15 pm IST: Nice play by Colombia’s Deider Caicedo, but his pass to Brayan Gomez was cut off in the nick of time inside the box. Scores level at 1-1.

9:14 pm IST: Meanwhile in New Delhi, Things look bleak for India as Ghana score again to go 2-0 up.

9:08 pm IST: The second half begins the way the first half did. With Colombia going on the offensive. They earn a corner, followed by a throw in. The long throw, however, didn’t result in a goal like the opening half. Score reads 1-1.

9:03 pm IST: It will be a test of endurance and both USA and Colombia in the second half, especially since it has been a very physical game so far. Both coaches have claimed they are used to such hot and humid conditions.US coach Hackworth had said they train in Florida which has similar conditions.

9:00 pm IST: It’s been a very tight game with Colombia coming up with a much improved showing to stretch the USA.

8:50 pm IST: It’s half-time, and things are level in Mumbai. USA 1-1 Colombia. Meanwhile in New Delhi, Ghana lead India 1-0.

8:49 pm IST: Colombia playmaker Brayan Gomez is hurt and is now playing with a bandaged head.

8:44 pm IST: USA attack in dying minutes of the first half but a timely tackle by Tegue denies Sargent inside the box. All square at 1-1.

8:43 pm IST: Meanwhile, in the other Group A match in New Delhi, Ghana have scored against India and lead 1-0.

8:41 pm IST: The Colombians are playing a hard-running game and it remains to be seen whether they will have enough in the tank when the game enters the final 10 minutes.

8:38 pm IST: USA have awarded a freekick at the left side of the box for a foul by Andres Cifuentes on Carleton. But, Sargent’s attempt is deflected wide. Two back to back corners for US. It’s been a very tight, physical game, where chances have been few. The scores read 1-1 after 40 minutes into the match.

8:35 pm IST: After the equaliser, Colombia have recovered from the shock and are controlling midfield once again.

8:32 pm IST: Colombia attack again but Juan Penaloza’s drive from the left is just wide.

8:28 pm IST: All credit for the goal goes to Andrew Carleton, who went past three players on the right before pulling the ball back for Acosta to fire home. USA 1-1 COL.

8:27 pm IST: The goal for USA came against the run of play and by a small error from the Colombian defence. In a counter move, George Acosta was left unattended in the penalty area and he scored off a cut in pass from the right flank. It’s 1-1 in Mumbai.

8:24 pm IST: GOAL!!! USA scores the equaliser. Acosta finds the target.

8:22 pm IST: With their hard-running game, the Colombia players have cut down the supply lines to Sargent up front for the US. Colombian lead 1-0 and are pushing to score more.

8:18 pm IST: The Colombian players look totally different from the side which turned up against India last Monday. They are taking the game up to USA and are pressing on for the second goal. The South Americans lead 1-0 after 18 minutes.

8:13 pm IST: USA central defenders Jaylin Lindsey and James Sands have their hands full, the Colombia forwards are giving them no time to control and pass. Colombia are playing a very high line, for the last move all eleven were in the US half.

8:11 pm IST: Meanwhile in the other Group A match in New Delhi, India are holding fort against an attacking Ghana. The score there is 0-0.

8:09 pm IST: USA get a chance at the other end. A good one-two between Sargent and George Acosta opens up the chance. But Acosta’s angular drive is weak and goes wide as well. No trouble. Colombia lead 1-0.

8:06 pm IST: Colombia are playing with intent at the moment with most of the play centred in the USA half. The South Americans seem to have lifted their game to match the occasion. They lead 1-0.

8:04 pm IST: Colombia score in the second minute. The USA defence is caught napping off a long throw in and Juan Vidal tapped the ball into the net.

8:02: PM IST: It’s a goal. Colombia scores in the first move of the match. 1-0.

7:59 pm IST: The teams are ready -- the national anthems are done with. It’s time!

7:56 pm IST: All eyes will be on USA captain Josh Sargent. Tim Weah, son of the legendary George Weah is on the bench today.

7:49 pm IST: Apart from the top two teams of each group qualifying for the round of 16, four best third placed teams will also make the cut. At the moment, the best third placed teams are Honduras, Ghana, Niger and Mexico.

7:43 pm IST: Colombia were lucky they got a goal immediately after India had scored in their match last Monday. Against the quality of USA, they will have to lift their game, or be left depending on the results of the other games to make it to the round of 16.

7:42 pm IST: The pressure will be on Colombia in this game, they were unconvincing in their win over India.

7:41 pm IST: On the eve of the match USA coach John Hackworth said they will be going all out to top the group. “At the moment, Colombia, Ghana or us all could win the group. And winning the group is important here, because not only you remain in Mumbai for the next game but you also get five days rest.”

7:38 pm IST: USA hold all the aces in Group A, they will top the group with a draw while Colombia need a draw to at least to stay in contention.If Ghana win against India and Colombia defeat USA, all three will finish on six points and the goal difference will come into play.

7:37 pm IST: The two teams -- USA and Colombia -- are on the ground, doing shooting practice and testing their respective goalkeepers. Attack in their minds, it seems!

7:35 pm IST: Both the teams overcome tough competition to earn their berths for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, The USA finished second at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Panama City last April to qualify. Colombia, on the other hand, qualified by finishing fourth at the 2017 South American Under-17 Football Championship -- earning the final spot from the CONMEBOL region.

7:26 pm IST: The previous time USA and Colombia met in the U-17 global tournament was in the FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan in 1993. Colombia won 2-1 on that occasion. USA went down early to a Ricardo Ciciliano goal in the 24th minute before levelling the score in the 86th off the foot of Judah Cooks. Los Cafeteros sealed the victory 60 seconds later when Juan Madrid put Colombia up 2-1.

7:21 pm IST: This would be the second time USA meet Colombia in a FIFA U-17 World Cup. 

With their senior team suffering a heartbreak of failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia for the first time since 1986 after losing to Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday, the United States junior boys will have a point to prove at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup football tournament.

As the US FIFA U-17 World Cup team take on Colombia on Thursday in their final group game, the pressure will be the likes of Josh Sargent and Tim Weah to put up a strong showing and prove their football structure is in good shape.

On the other hand, Colombia have yet to find their rhythm. They were scrappy against India and would have had their hearts in their mouth when India scored late in the match. They were fortunate to restore the lead immediately but they have yet to come up with persistent attacking play, the hallmark of South American teams.