Korea beats Argentina to advance to Round of 16 at U20 World Cup

Korea's U-20 football team celebrates after winning their last Group F match against Argentina 2-1 at Tychy Stadium in Tychy, Poland on Friday. [YONHAP]

With a shock win over tournament favorites Argentina, Korea has successfully advanced to the knockout stage at the FIFA U-20 World Cup .

Korea’s U-20 football team defeated Argentina 2-1 in the final Group F match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup at Tychy Stadium in Tychy, Poland on Friday.

Korea toolkits first blood, taking the lead in the 42nd minute as Oh Se-hun headered in a cross from Lee Kang-in. Then, in the 57th minute, Korea doubled their lead with a goal from Cho Young-wook. Argentina finally broke their silence in the 88th minute with Cristian Ferreira’s goal but it was too little, too late and Korea took the win.

With the win, Korea finished second in Group F, behind Argentina. Although both teams finished with six points, Argentina is still the winner in Group F as they are ahead of Korea in goal difference, at plus four to Korea’s plus one.

Looking at the teams in Group F, Portugal made an early exit at this year’s tournament by failing to advance to the knockout stage. Portugal played to a 1-1 draw against South Africa and finished third in Group F.

Korea now moves on to the Round of 16, where it will face its all-time rival Japan on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., local time, or 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning in Korea. The teams will play at Lublin Stadium.

BY KANG YOO-RIM [kang.yoorim@joongang.co.kr]