Czechs and Austria reach last four

The Czech Republic will play Austria for a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final after both edged through tight quarter-finals against UEFA European Under-19 Championship holders Spain and the United States respectively in Canada.

Kalouda opener
The Czechs had lost in the semi-finals of last year's U19 finals but might have taken the lead early in the second half of their encounter at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton - Martin Fenin heading a Lukáš Kubáň cross wide with the goal beckoning. Spain came closest to snatching victory in normal time, however, as Adrián López – with five goals the joint leading scorer in the competition – somehow side-footed Gérard Piqué's pass against the post from close range. That sent the match into extra time and it was the Czechs who finally made the breakthrough in the 103rd minute, Luboš Kalouda opening the scoring from the edge of the area after Spain goalkeeper Antonio Adán had failed to gather Petr Janda's corner.

Petr heroics
Piqué headed against the crossbar as Spain threatened to level immediately, but an equaliser was not long in coming, Juan Manuel Mata converting the rebound after Alberto Bueno had been denied by the post with ten minutes remaining. Bueno then failed to convert a gilt-edged opportunity with seconds remaining to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out. Marc Valiente hit the crossbar with Spain's third kick before Czech goalkeeper Radek Petr saved Piqué's effort to give his side a place in the last four.

Soukup satisfaction
"We started this World Cup against [holders] Argentina, then we played the champions of Asia, North Korea, and today we played against the European champions Spain, so we couldn’t have had any harder opponents than the ones we have had so far," said Czech coach Miroslav Soukup. "We knew we couldn't play an open game so I adjusted my tactics. We didn't want Spain to get in with fast breaks and we tried to win with counterattacks or set-pieces. The game developed exactly the way we thought it would."

Hoffer decisive
In Toronto, meanwhile, Austria recovered from a goal down to overcome the US, who took a 15th-minute lead through Josmer Altidore only for Rubin Okotie to capitalise on a rebound from US goalkeeper Chris Seitz to level two minutes before half-time. There were no further goals in the 90 minutes, but the game's decisive spell arrived with two minutes remaining in the first additional period as US left-back Anthony Wallace was sent off for a second bookable offence and, from the resulting free-kick, substitute Erwin Hoffer scored what proved to be the winner for the second game in succession.

'Anything is possible'
"The US are a physically and tactically strong team but we proved we can play skilful football on our day," said Austria coach Paul Gludovatz. "The times of fighting by purely focussing on defence are over. We attacked a lot today and we are happy with the win. Today our will to win was very strong - and with this win an Austrian fairytale has come true." Match-winner Hoffer, who has now struck three goals in the finals, added: "Nobody would have thought we could reach the semi-finals. When I came on I was eager to give everything so I am thrilled with my contribution. Now anything is possible for us."