Mixed fortunes for Austria and Portugal

Austria strengthened their attempt to reach the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 with a narrow win against hosts Canada although Portugal ceded the initiative to Mexico in Group C after suffering defeat against their opponents in Toronto.

Okotie winner
Paul Gludovatz's Austria side had opened their Group A campaign with a draw against African champions Congo on Monday, and with the hosts having lost their first fixture to Chile, hopes were high of an Austrian victory at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The European side duly had the better of a even opening period, Bernhard Morgenthaler having a shot deflected on to the post, before Rubin Okotie headed in what proved to be the only goal of the game two minutes after half-time, although Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault came close to an equaliser as his effort hit the crossbar.

'Full of emotion'
"I'm still full of emotion and it's hard to find the words to analyse this game," said Gludovtaz. "I'd like to thank everybody again for building this great atmosphere around the team. We were a bit lucky at the end but you need that kind of luck." The result leaves Austria second in the section with four points, two fewer than their next opponents Chile - who overcame Congo 3-0 with Udinese Calcio forward Alexis Sánchez and defender Arturo Vidal of Bayer 04 Leverkusen among the goals - meaning both sides will progress to the last 16 should their game on Sunday end in a draw.

Dos Santos delight
Portugal experienced contrasting emotions in Toronto as they followed their 2-0 victory against New Zealand three days previously with a 2-1 reverse against Mexico. José Couceiro's side fell behind three minutes into the second period as FC Barcelona's Giovanni Dos Santos was impeded by Paulo Renato as he attempted to get on the end of a Carlos Vela pass and picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty for his second goal in as many games. Pablo Barrera made it 2-0 six minutes past the hour, leaving a fine 89th-minute free-kick from Antunes as little consolation for Portugal.

'We'll meet again'
"This was a high-quality match between two great teams, but whoever scores more goals wins no matter how well you play," said Couceiro. "Mexico have an excellent team, congratulations to them. It was an open match that we could have also won, but Mexico scored first and we had to chase the result. Their coach said to me: 'We'll meet again in the final.'" Portugal are now level with their final opponents on Sunday, Gambia - who overcame New Zealand 1-0 - on three points, three behind section leaders Mexico.