Under-20 World Cup: 16 teams, one ultimate goal

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. - Colombia soccer still is powered by a train.

Los Cafeteros were led to their most recent World Cup appearance in 1998 by renowned striker Adolfo "El Tren" Valencia.

Now, the national program's premier youth team is chugging along thanks to his son, José Valencia, or "El Trencito" at the U-20 World Cup. Valencia scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over Mali that secured first place in Group A with a perfect three wins in three games.

Colombia faces Costa Rica, which posted a win and two losses in group play, in the round-of-16 on Aug. 9.

The top two squads in each of the six groups advanced automatically, along with the top four third-place teams.

"My dad won a few trophies, but he never got close to a world title, and now here I am fighting for that very thing," Valencia told reporters. "Hopefully, we can do it. I want to win it for him, and to achieve that I'm prepared to give my all."

But Valencia isn't the only South American standout playing in the shadow of his father.

Ecuador's Juan Govea scored a crucial equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Australia that allowed his country to finish with a 1-1-1 record, good enough for second place behind Spain in Group C and a berth in the round of 16.

And Govea insists that if it wasn't for his father, Iván, who played for his hometown Deportivo Cuenca, he wouldn't have been able to lead his team to a win against France on July 30.

"Pelé, [Diego] Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi are all my heroes, but my biggest hero, by a long way, is my dad," Govea said. "He has given me everything. He taught me how to be a footballer and a person. I love and respect him so much. Every time I walk out onto the field I am playing for him. Every blade of grass that I cover is for him."

Govea added: "He told me that he is immensely proud that I am playing at the [FIFA U-20] World Cup. He was emotional. It was the proudest moment of my life."

But Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador weren't the only teams that advanced to the knockout rounds, as Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and Brazil also will play at least one more game in Colombia.

La Albiceleste has won the tournament a record six times, including five of the past eight. Brazil has won the title four times, and placed second behind Ghana two years ago.

Argentina, which won Group F with a 2-1-0 record and has yet to concede a goal, will face Egypt (2-1-0) on Aug. 9, while Mexico (1-1-1) also will play Cameroon (1-1-1) that same day. Brazil (2-0-1) won Group E and plays Saudi Arabia (2-0-1) on Aug. 10.

But the biggest surprise of the tournament has to be Los Chapines (1-0-2).

Guatemala, which eliminated the heavily-favored United States during CONCACAF qualifying, has made a surprise run to the knockout stages thanks to a stunning, 1-0 win over Croatia. Los Chapines were outscored 11-0 in their first two games, but the team stayed alive in the tournament when Marvin Ceballos' goal in the 81st minute proved to be the difference against Croatia.

Guatemala faces Portugal (2-0-1) on Aug. 9.

"We've changed our mindset," Guatemala coach Hugo Almeida told reporters. "Now, we're full of hope."

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