BURSA, Turkey — Ten-man Chile came from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 in the Under-20 World Cup while Croatia upset Uruguay 1-0 on Sunday.
Chile started strong in the Group E clash but the African champions struck first. Hassan Ahmed won the ball inside the South Americans’ half and slid a through ball to Mahmoud Kahraba who slotted home in the 10th minute. Chile drew level in the 25th when Nicolas Castillo’s right-foot shot deflected off Egypt captain Rabia Ramy and looped into the net.
Egypt had the better chances in the second half but it was Chilean substitute Christian Bravo who made the difference. He controlled a pass from Bryan Rabello’s knock-down, moved across the penalty area and fired a right-foot shot into the far corner of the net.
In Group F, Croatia missed an early penalty but still beat Uruguay, considered one of the favourites to advance.
After a listless first 20 minutes, Croatia had the first opportunity when Dario Canadija received a ball behind the defence but was clipped by Gaston Silva. Marko Livaja’s penalty kick hit the inside of the post and then goalkeeper Guillermo De Amores, before being cleared.
Livaja made up for the miss in the 41st when his pass deflected off Manchester United’s Guillermo Varela and into the path of Ante Rebic who scored.
Uruguay wasted several good chances in the second half, including Diego Rolan’s diving header that forced a one-handed save out of Oliver Zelenika and an overhead kick from Giorgian De Arrascaeta that he couldn’t keep down.
Its final chance came when Diego Laxalt cut the ball back to substitute Nicolas Lopez whose close-range shot hit the post.
In the other Group F match, Uzbekistan downed New Zealand 3-0 through the inspired play of midfielder Abbosbek Makhstaliev who scored one goal and set up another in the Group F match.
The Asian runner-ups scored when Maxime Crocombe sent the ball to Igor Sergeev, whose shot was blocked by Crocombe. Makhstaliev was able to tap in the rebound in the 14th minute. Makhstaliev then passed to Sergeeve, who scored in the 53rd. The Uzbeks added a third in the 67th when Diyorjon Turapov’s shot was deflected off midfielder Tim Payne and over the goalkeeper.
England plays Iraq in the other Group E match.