The South African national U20 side were eliminated from the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup after going down 3-1 to Colombia in the last 16 round match at Estadio Fiscal on Wednesday night.
Joel Canchimbo opened the scoring for the South Americans in the seventh minute which was cancelled by Mfundo Vilakazi’s penalty kick in the 50th minute while Neiser Villareal got a brace to secure victory.
There were no changes from the South African side that defeated USA on Sunday. The African champions escaped an early scare of a potential penalty when the opponents claimed that Canchimbo was fouled in the box which the video review system denied in the opening five minutes.
However Canchimbo netted the opener from an Oscar Perea pass in the seventh minute. Amajita had chances to equalise through Mfundo Vilakazi in the 13th minute but he missed the target and so did Shakeel April three minutes later.
Fletcher-Lowe was called to make a save in the 23rd minute when Perea found Kener Gonzalez. Gomolemo Kekana and Siviwe Magidigidi also missed opportunities just before the break.
South Africa won a penalty two minutes into the second half. Vilakazi stepped up but was denied by the Colombian goalkeeper who also saved the rebound by Magidigidi, however the keeper was found to have been off his line and Amajita got a retake. This time Vilakazi converted to bring the African champions back in the game in the 50th minute.
Kekana could have doubled the lead for Amajita four minutes later but his effort was an easy save. It was Colombia’s turn three minutes later but Neiser Villareal as denied by the wood work but he redeemed himself in the 63rd minute when he scored the winner from a Perea assist.
Villareal completed his brace in injury-time to seal the win and progression to the quarter-finals.
