Saturday at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships saw a glut of goals as fans in New Zealand feasted on some exciting soccer but, at the same time, watched the host nation knocked out of the tournament.

Uruguay hammered New Zealand 5-0 in Auckland to end Kiwi dreams of progressing through the first round and into the quarter-finals as a total of 17 goals were scored in the four matches played, with one-sided wins for Ghana, Spain and Uruguay and a last-gasp draw in the clash between Poland and the USA.

Uruguay, with captain Peralta brilliant in the midfield, were kept at bay by New Zealand until just before half-time when two quick goals were conceded. The South Americans added three more in the second half, two of them fortunate rebounds to eliminate New Zealand with still a match to play in group A.

Ghana and Spain strode to the top of group B in Napier with handsome victories; the European champions hitting six past Thailand and their African counterparts scoring four against Mexico.

Aitor scored a hattrick in Spain's 6-0 win, followed by two each for Lamptey and Attiku as Ghana beat the young Mexicans 4-0 in the second match of the double-header at McLean Park.

A last-minute penalty from Landon Donovan, the American striker who plays for German club Bayer Leverkusen, saw the USA salvage a point after Poland had led from a 42nd minute penalty by Madej in their group A match in Auckland.