Senegal 2 Nigeria 1
The West African derby lived up to its billing as Senegal held off a dangerous Nigeria 2-1 at the Lodz Stadium. The victors of the continental clash earned a spot in the quarter-finals.
Forward Amadou Sagna broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a low, right-footed effort and Ibrahima Niane would double the lead for the Senegalese late in first-half stoppage time.
The Flying Eagles had a superb start to the second half, scoring five minutes after the whistle. From a free kick just outside the penalty area, Success Makanjoula sent his cross left of the wall and found the boot of Aniekeme Okon, who flicked in the easy goal.
It was a tight contest in the final minutes that saw wits and will tested, but the Lions of Teranga willed their way to victory and a spot in the quarter-final.
Uruguay 1 Ecuador 3
Sergio Quintero’s sumptuous strike was sandwiched by two spot-kicks as Ecuador came from behind to beat Uruguay 3-1 and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Ecuador lost both of their meetings with Uruguay en route to conquering the South American U-20 Championship in February, and the same result appeared on the cards when Ronald Araujo tapped La Celeste ahead early on after La Tricolor failed to clear a right-wing free-kick.
However, Ecuador began to monopolise possession and, around the half-hour mark, they were awarded their third penalty of Poland 2019 when Ezequiel Busquets bundled Alexander Alvarado over.
Alvarado took it himself, doing what Jordan Rezabala and Leonardo Campana had failed to do and calmly passing the ball low into the middle of the net as Franco Israel dived to his right.
In the 65th minute, Ecuador goalkeeper Wellington Ramirez did well to stop Darwin Nunez’s close-range toe-poke, but his opposite number could do nothing to prevent Sergio Quintero’s firm, low drive from finding the bottom corner ten minutes later.
Ecuador were awarded a penalty late on when Bruno Mendez handled a goal-bound shot, and Gonzalo Plata made no mistake from 12 yards.
Ukraine 4 Panama 1
Ukraine are heading to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history following a 4-1 victory over Panama at Tychy Stadium
While both sides sought to find their footing for the first 20 minutes of the match, the Ukrainians emphatically took control by half-time.
Danylo Sikan and Yukhym Konoplia combined down the right side twice to lethal effect, as Konoplia served up one-touch finishes for Sikan in the 23rd minute and the first minute of first-half stoppage time. S
andwiched in between those goals was a 41st-minute headed goal from Denys Popov, his third of the tournament, and Ukraine went into the locker room with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Los Canaleros reeled one back five minutes into the second half. Ernesto Walker exhibited strength and control using his chest to settle a deep cross and finish from close range.
Serhii Buletsa shut the door on Panama seven minutes from full time, however, slipping unnoticed into the penalty area and beating Panama goalkeeper Emerson Dimas to cement Ukraine's position in the last eight.
Panama exit Poland 2019 with their best-ever finish as one of the final 16 teams.
