FIFA.com - FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 - News

Youth building on Colombian education

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:24:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at some of the stars from Colombia 2011 who have seen their careers change for the better after playing well at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Colombia 2011 in numbers

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:27:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at the tournament's intriguing statistics, including a Spaniard’s rapid strike rate, a Portuguese keeper’s shut-out success and the curious progressions of England and Guatemala to the Round of 16.

Brazil's youngsters return to the top

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Eight years after their last FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph, Brazil lifted the trophy for the fifth time in front of record-breaking crowds at Colombia 2011.

Henrique: The reward for all my efforts

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:01:00 GMT

After claiming three titles in one night, FIFA.com spoke to Brazil star Henrique on his rise from the bench to FIFA U-20 World Cup champion and winner of both the adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Boot.

Cometh the hour, cometh the Oscar

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:36:00 GMT

Oscar chats to FIFA.com about his inspirational performance against Portugal and how it feels to have helped lift Brazilian football from its slumber, while Danilo, Bruno Uvini and Henrique also hail the No11.

Henrique chalks up individual double

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:29:00 GMT

Henrique finished the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Bogata with a night to remember for three golden reasons, claiming the adidas Golden Ball and Golden Boot adding to Brazil's tournament win.

Brazil claim impressive fifth title

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:57:00 GMT

Brazil won their fifth FIFA U-20 World Cup title on Saturday, beating Portugal in a five-goal thriller that was settled in extra time, while Mexico saw off France to finish third.

Oscar treble wins thrilling final for Brazil

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:31:00 GMT

Portugal were just 12 minutes away from the title, but the Internacional ace scored to take the game into extra time before completing his hat-trick to crown his country in Colombia.

Mexico down France for bronze

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:52:00 GMT

El Tri recovered an early deficit and withheld Les Bleus' pressure to win 3-1 and claim a podium place at Colombia 2011.

Blatter: As good as senior tournaments

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:13:00 GMT

The FIFA President, together with Rafael Salguero and Luis Bedoya, invited questions relating to Colombia 2011 from the media at a press conference today in Bogota.

Question time for the masterminds

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com puts four identical questions to Ney Franco and Ilidio Vale, the men charged with plotting the respective routes of Brazil and Portugal to the trophy.

adidas Golden ball shortlist announced

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:27:00 GMT

A shortlist of 10 candidates for the adidas golden ball, which will be awarded to the most outstanding player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, was announced today by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG).

France's Smerecki still learning

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:12:00 GMT

Francis Smerecki speaks to FIFA.com about how to nurture young players, his France’s team’s progress to the last four of Colombia 2011 and eagerness to go home with a medal.

Defiant Mexico targeting podium place

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:12:00 GMT

There was obvious disappontment in the Mexico dressing room following their semi-final defeat to Brazil, but Juan Carlos Chavez's side have an idea opportunity to bounce back in the match for third place.

Lara: Brazil, Portugal are worthy finalists

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:04:00 GMT

Ahead of Saturday’s FIFA U-20 World Cup final, the Colombia boss told FIFA.com about their exit against Mexico, the tournament as a whole and his next career move.

Uvini: I want to lift the cup

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:11:00 GMT

Brazil captain Bruno Uvini has the opportunity to lift the country’s first official trophy in two years, when his side take on Portugal in Saturday’s final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011.

Portugal’s impenetrable last line

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:06:00 GMT

Goalkeeper Mika speaks to FIFA.com about his late surge into Ilidio Vale's team, making personal history in Colombia and the final against Brazil.

Final rematch for Brazil and Portugal

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:08:00 GMT

Brazil and Portugal contest the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Bogota on Saturday, exactly 20 years since meeting at the same stage in the 1991 tournament.

Bronze or nothing in Bogota

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:24:00 GMT

Mexico and France may have fallen short of their realising their pre-tournament target, but they must put their semi-final defeats behind them as they aim to finish on the podium.

Golden fingertips seal Brazil-Portugal final

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:27:00 GMT

Brazil will take on Portugal in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, a repeat of the 1991 decider, after 2-0 wins over Mexico and France respectively.

Colombia’s stadiums in all their glory

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:03:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s photo gallery of the eight stadiums hosting matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 features some stunning images. From Armenia to Pereira, we have all the angles on every arena.

Henrique double sends Brazil into final

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Eighty entertaining yet goalless minutes unfolded before the No19 headed the four-time world U-20 champions into the lead before tapping home to end Mexico’s challenge.

Portugal see off France to reach final

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:59:00 GMT

First-half goals from Danilo and Nelson Oliveira seized the Iberians a 2-0 win against the run of play and a spot in the Colombia 2011 decider.

France indebted to fearless Fofana

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:26:00 GMT

Inspirational France captain Gueida Fofana earned lavish praise from his coach after an epic quarter-final victory over Nigeria, but now the Bleuets No8 is aiming to create history by winning Colombia 2011.

Reis: I’m proud to captain Portugal

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:59:00 GMT

Portugal captain and central defender Nuno Reis tells FIFA.com of his team's resolve in overcoming Argentina, their squad camaraderie and ambition to be crowned world No1.

France-Portugal's ongoing last four drama

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:50:00 GMT

France and Portugal have contested three major semi-finals, in 1984, 2000 and 2006. Ahead of the fourth – their first at U-20 level – FIFA.com looks at the previous last four encounters.

Impenetrable Portugal face France’s bench brigade

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

France-Portugal is one of the great European fixtures following three memorable semi-finals at senior level, but the two sides have never actually met at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Top scorers meet surprise package

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:08:00 GMT

Wednesday's meeting between Brazil and Mexico in Pereira promises to be a thrilling and worthy semi-final at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011.

Gabriel revels in Taffarel comparisons

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:43:00 GMT

Gabriel speaks to FIFA.com about his penalty-saving heroics against Spain, being likened to one of Brazil's all-time great goalkeepers, and their semi-final with Mexico.

Egbedi: We've learned a lot here

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:21:00 GMT

Although returning home after being beaten by France in the quarter-final, the Nigeria squad are going home unbowed, as their forward Edafe Egbedi told FIFA.com at the conclusion of Sunday's match.

Koke: It would have made an ideal final

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:03:00 GMT

The Spain attacking midfielder speaks to FIFA.com about their quarter-final against Brazil, what went wrong, how it feels to bow out and who he now thinks will lift the trophy.

Rivera: I couldn't ask for more

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:12:00 GMT

Mexico forward Edson Rivera tells FIFA.com what it meant to score two goals in side’s quarter-final win over the hosts at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011.

Subs fire France, Brazil hold nerve

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:19:00 GMT

Substitutes Alexandre Lacazette, Maduabuchi Ejike, Dudu and Alvaro Vazquez all found the net in Sunday's quarter-finals, which featured wins for France and Brazil.

Brazil win shoot-out after Spain thriller

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:44:00 GMT

After a pulsating 2-2 draw, A Seleção beat La Roja 4-2 in the shoot-out to book a semi-final with Mexico.

France clinch dramatic semi-final berth

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:49:00 GMT

France have booked a semi-final meeting with Portugal after beating Nigeria 3-2 in extra time, with Les Bleuets boosted by a double from Alexandre Lacazette and another added by Gueida Fofana.

Colombia make a reluctant farewell

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:37:00 GMT

Tears, long faces and profuse apologies were the order of the day when Colombia players spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about their exit from the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Pacheco: I was always prepared

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 05:25:00 GMT

With first-choice goalkeeper Aitor injured, Fernando Pacheco has been called upon to help Spain through these finals. The No21 spoke to FIFA.com about the shoot-out with Korea Republic and their match ahead against Brazil.

Colombia crash out to Mexico

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:07:00 GMT

A second-half double from substitute Edson Rivera sealed a 3-1 victory for Mexico to book their place in the semi-finals, stunning the host nation Colombia in Bogota.

Drama and devastation

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:05:00 GMT

Portugal staged a sensational shoot-out comeback to eliminate Argentina, while Mexico broke the hearts of a football-impassioned nation by knocking out Colombia.

Portugal edge Argentina in incredible shoot-out

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:12:00 GMT

Following a 0-0 draw, the South Americans were nigh on through to the semi-finals, but Mika produced three saves to earn the Iberians an incredible 5-4 win on penalties.

Oscar: Brazil-Spain will be a clássico

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:35:00 GMT

Ahead of the quarter-final clash between Brazil and Spain, FIFA.com spoke to Oscar, one of A Seleção’s most understated playmakers having a great impact on the squad at Colombia 2011.

Grenier, France's secret weapon

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Having made his first start of the tournament in their Round of 16 win over Ecuador, Clement Grenier told FIFA.com he wants to maintain his place in the France side by keeping up his unselfish style.

Brazil and Spain belatedly battle

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:28:00 GMT

Two of the tournament favourites will meet in the quarter-finals, with the winners going on to face Mexico or Colombia.

Jhon Edison's paradisiacal journey

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:24:00 GMT

From having never drunk Coca-Cola to tasting it while taking in Spain's 5-1 win over Australia, FIFA.com recalls the moving tale of a group of poor kids from Manizales who were treated to a day they'll never forget.

Danilo keeping the gate locked shut

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:13:00 GMT

A vital ingredient in Portugal's four clean sheets in four games has been the physical presence of defensive midfielder Danilo and his insatiable appetite for protecting his backline.

Fair play at the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:26:00 GMT

Fair play will be celebrated at the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 in Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena and Pereira on 13 and 14 August 2011.

Ortega, Colombia’s secret agent

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:10:00 GMT

Currently playing his club football for Mexican outfit Atlas, Los Cafeteros’ creator-in-chief Michael Ortega certainly knows plenty about the hosts’ upcoming quarter-final rivals.

Mexico's Araujo relishing leader's role

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:56:00 GMT

Having made an impact for the senior side at the Copa America, Mexico's Nestor Araujo tells FIFA.com how he is passing on the experience he gained to his U-20 team-mates.

History within grasp of France and Nigeria

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:20:00 GMT

France and Nigeria have other compelling reasons for wanting to progress. The European side have never previously reached the semi-final at this event, while the Africans have the opportunity to extend their flawless record so far.

Clash of the former champions

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:06:00 GMT

A glance at the record books shows us that whenever Argentina and Portugal meet at a FIFA U-20 World Cup, one of the teams goes on to lift the trophy.

Old rivals go head-to-head in Bogota

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:52:00 GMT

Barely two months after meeting in the Toulon Tournament semi-finals, old rivals Colombia and Mexico lock horns once again – this time for a place in the last four at Colombia 2011.