First U-20 World Cup quarter-finalists confirmed in Poland

The first quarter-finalists at the U-20 World Cup in Poland have been confirmed after four last-16 ties in Katowice and Sosnowiec, while hosts Poland are still waiting to begin their own knockout campaign.

Poland, coached by Marcin Kasprowicz, reached this stage after winning Group A with three victories from three against Argentina, Mexico and Benin. Their round-of-16 match against Colombia is scheduled for Thursday 17 September at 18:30 in Bielsko-Biala.

South Korea and Brazil progress

The opening knockout fixtures took place on Wednesday, with South American sides Argentina and Brazil facing very different outcomes.

In Sosnowiec, South Korea edged past Argentina thanks to Ye-Joo Beom's goal in the 33rd minute. That result sent the Koreans into the quarter-finals and ended Argentina's run in the competition.

Brazil's meeting with the United States in Katowice was far tighter. Sofia Couto put Brazil ahead in the 59th minute, only for Ainsley McCammon to level four minutes later. The match remained unresolved through extra time and went to penalties.

In the shootout, the decisive moment came immediately as goalkeeper Thais Lima saved Emeri Adames' effort. It proved to be the only miss, allowing Brazil to advance with a 5-4 win on penalties. The United States, bronze medallists at the previous World Cup, were therefore eliminated.

Spain show control, Italy survive scare

Later in the day, Spain and Italy also booked their places in the last eight.

In Katowice, European champions Spain overcame Portugal after making a fast start through Marisa Garcia, who scored in the ninth minute. Portugal's task became even harder just before half-time when Neide Guedes was sent off.

Spain had chances to make the game more comfortable earlier in the second half. Daniela Agote missed a penalty, while Irene Dorado had an effort ruled out after a video review. The second goal eventually arrived when Nair Pina turned the ball into her own net, sealing Spain's progress.

The tie between Italy and China in Sosnowiec was more dramatic. Italy led through Karen Appiah in the 34th minute and held that advantage until the 73rd, when a major error from goalkeeper Elena Belli allowed China back into the match. After a high delivery from Wang Dantong, Belli mishandled the ball into her own net, though the goal was later credited to Dantong.

There was no further scoring in normal time, and the contest went through extra time before being settled on penalties, where Italy came out on top.

Bracket begins to take shape

With those four ties completed, the knockout bracket has started to form around South Korea, Brazil, Spain and Italy. Poland's place in the quarter-finals will be at stake next when the hosts take on Colombia in Bielsko-Biala.

• South Korea beat Argentina
• Brazil beat the United States on penalties
• Spain beat Portugal
• Italy beat China on penalties
• Poland face Colombia in the round of 16