Four games took place on the third day of the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand on Monday, and we had 28 goals in those matches.
That’s an average of seven goals per game. Not too shabby.
[ LATEST: News from U-20 World Cup ]
Below you will be recaps and video highlights from Monday’s games as some giants of world soccer kicked off the group stage of their U-20 World Cup campaigns.
Here we go...
Nigeria 2-4 Brazil
A real cracker played out in New Plymouth as it was 2-2 at half time. Gabrial gave Brazil the lead but Nigeria went 2-1 up thanks to goals from Success and Yahaya. Judivan equalized for the Brazilians before the break and he and Boschilla each grabbed a goal in the second half to hand the Selecao a hard-fought victory in Group E.
North Korea 1-5 Hungary
In Group E’s other match, Hungary routed North Korea with a hat trick from Benc Mervo stealing the show. A bright start say the Hungarians take an early lead as Mervo grabbed his first but Korea were briefly level as Choe Ju-song equalized. Zsolt Kalmar put Hungary 2-1 up before the break and then David Forgacs and a double from Mervo in the second half to complete his hat trick (see his third goal in the video above) sealed the win in style. Hungary top Group E after their opening game after a sensational win.
Germany 8-1 Fiji
Talking of big wins, Germany smashed eight past Fiji as the pre-tournament favorites got their Group F campaign off to a flier. The German were 6-0 up at half time with Niklas Stark (2), Marc Stendera, Grischa Promel and Hany Mukhtar (2) doing the damage. Mukhtar went on to complete his hat trick in the second half with Marvin Stefaniak adding another for good measure. Iosefo Verevou grabbed Fiji’s lone goal as they took a battering.
Uzbekistan 3-4 Honduras
Orlando City’s Bryan Rochez scored twice, watch his game-winner in the video above, as Honduras held on to secure a vital win in their Group F opener against Uzbekistan. The CONCACAF outfit raced into a 2-0 lead through Jhow Benaviez and Rochez but Uzbekistan pulled one back before half time through Dostonbek Khamdamov. Kevin Alvarez restored Honduras’ two-goal advantage just after the interval but a flurry of late goals saw Eldor Shomurodov make it 3-2 before Rochez added the crucial fourth in injury time but there was still time for the Uzbeks to grab another through Zabikhillo Urinboev. What a game.
Coming up live on NBC Universo on Tuesday morning the United States take on hosts New Zealand at 2:30 a.m. ET in Group A, plus Myanmar and Ukraine do battle. In Group B, Austria meet Panama and Argentina take on Ghana.
