Spain triumph as Portugal suffer

Spain boosted their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Under-17 Championship on Sunday with a dramatic 3-2 victory against the Korean Republic in Lahti.

Dramatic game
After drawing 3-3 with Sierra Leone in their opening game, the Spanish badly needed three points to get their campaign back on track. However 20 minutes into the second half, as they trailed 2-0, Juan Santisteban's side looked dead and buried.

Silva hat-trick
Cue an astonishing hat-trick from Spanish substitute Silva who struck in the 65th, 73rd and 76th minutes to lead his side to a unlikely victory. Spain are now second in Group D two points adrift of the United States who beat Sierra Leone courtesy of a late goal from 14-year-old sensation Freddy Adu.

Point needed
The Spanish meet the US on Wednesday knowing that they will need a point to secure a last-eight place if Sierra Leone beat the Korean Republic in the afternoon.

Miserable day
After coming back to beat Yemen 4-3 in their opening game Portugal went into Sunday's game against Brazil in Tampere full of confidence. However the European U17 champions were soundly beaten 5-0 by their Group C rivals, conceding four second-half goals in the process. Yemen and Cameroon drew in the section's other match on Sunday leaving Brazil top with four points, Portugal second with three, Cameroon third with two and Yemen fourth with one.

Direct battle
Brazil face Yemen on Wednesday knowing victory will secure group supremacy, while Portugal and Cameroon will face each other later the same day in what looks like a direct battle for second place.