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Turkey through to last eight

European champions Turkey reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Championship thanks to a dramatic 3-2 win against Uruguay.

Perfect start
Having defeated Australia 1-0 in their opening fixture on Friday, Turkey went into Monday's game in Lima knowing that victory would be enough to clinch progress. They began in determined fashion, with Tevfik Köse and Deniz Yilmaz both testing Jonatan Irrazabal in the opening stages. Twelve minutes in, however, the Uruguay goalkeeper was helpless as FC Bayern München midfield player Yilmaz rose to head the European side in front from a corner.

Uruguay response
The South Americans hit back strongly, with Elías Figueroa twice missing opportunities to level and goalkeeper Volkan Babacan tipping Enzo Scorza's spectacular effort past the post. Parity was restored two minutes before the half-hour, however, as Babacan failed to deal with Gerardo Vonder Putten's left-wing cross and in the ensuing confusion, MKE Ankaragücü midfield player Murat Duruer turned into his own goal.

Eventful encounter
Martín Díaz then missed the chance to give Uruguay the lead when he shot wide from close range, with Turkey seemingly content to operate on the counterattack, Köse twice going close. The introduction of Hannover 96 midfield player Ferhat Bikmaz sparked fresh life into the Turkish attack, Yilmaz heading a cross wide before the substitute struck the crossbar with a powerful header.

Late turnaround
That all seemed in vain as Uruguay took the lead 15 minutes from time, Figueroa rounding off a fine move with a superb left-foot strike. The advantage lasted only five minutes, however, Turkish substitute Özgürcan Özcan racing on to a long pass and shooting beyond Irrazabal, and four minutes later the turnaround was complete, Köse keeping his composure to give Turkey what proved to be a decisive lead.

'Worthy winners'
"We are very proud of what we have achieved tonight," said Avci. "It was a difficult game, but I believe we were worthy winners. We will continue to give our best and improve further. Hopefully now we can go on and win our group." To do that, Turkey must overcome Mexico in their third and final group game in Piura on Thursday. The central American outfit confirmed their progress to the quarter-finals with a second successive victory, Carlos Vela scoring twice and Omar Esparza once in a 3-0 success against Australia.

Monday action
Elsewhere on Monday, China moved top of Group A with a 1-0 win against hosts Peru at the Mansiche stadium in Trujillo, defender Zhuoxiang Deng getting the only goal in the 13th minute to take his side on to four points as China held on despite having Dalei Wang sent off in added time. Ghana and Costa Rica are both on two points having drawn 1-1, Celso Borges giving the Costa Ricans the lead two minutes into the second half only for Jonathan Quarty to level eleven minutes later.

Tuesday ties
On Tuesday, Europe's other two representatives are in action as Italy, 1-0 winners against the Ivory Coast in their opening fixture, meet the other Group C side with three points, the United States, in Chiclayo. In Group D, meanwhile, section leaders the Netherlands take on a Brazilian team who will be eager to bounce back from their unexpected defeat by Gambia on Matchday 1.