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Under 20 World Cup, quarter finals

Spain 0 - Uruguay 1 (after extra time)

Spain are out of the under 20 World Cup! Since winning the competition in 1999 and finishing runners up in 2003, "La Rojita" have been unable to get past the quarter final stage. And once again the long, hard season took its toll, with the youngsters unable to show the sort of form they were producing earlier on in the competition against a combative Uruguay who left little space at the back. Deulofeu came closest to scoring in the first half with an inswinging corner which De Amores pushed on to the crossbar, and the South American keeper also made important saves from Manquillo and Suso before the break. Pais and De Arrascaeta headed just wide in reply, and Jesé and Paco Alcácer came close to putting Lopetegui's side in front after the restart when they both headed wide from Manquillo's crosses. De Amores did well to keep out Jesé later on, and with the game in injury time Dani Sotres bravely pushed a looping back header from his own defender off the line, the keeper having to be replaced by Yáñez after breaking his nose as he collided with the post. That brought up extra time, but although Spain continued to dominate, substitute Avenatti won it for Uruguay when he headed a corner past the Real Madrid keeper. A devastating blow for the youngsters, but a lesson learned, and they can now go back to their respective homes for a well-earned rest. (06.07.13)