Crossbar Denies Lookman Hat-trick, Tomori Stars As England Continue World Cup Adventure

England have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2017 Fifa Under 20 World Cup after beating Costa Rica 2-1 at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Wednesday, courtesy of two goals from Everton striker of Nigerian descent Ademola Lookman.

Lookman made no mistake to score his maiden goal in a World Cup competition, finishing from close range in the 35tth minute to give the Young Lions the lead.

It was an eventful first half for the Nigeria target as he looked threatening and would have bagged a brace but Costa Rica goalkeeper Pindela pulled off a save in the closing minutes.

Chelsea duo Dominic Solanke and Fikayo Tomori, plus the tidy and assertive Tottenham Hotspur wonderkid Josh Onomah,who ran the show in midfield, started for England, while Ejaria and Ojo remained on the bench.

The Central Americans thought they had found a way back only for the referee to disallow the goal in the 50th minute.

Solanke was not far away when his right foot curler went just over the bar in the 55th minute, and Lookman was unlucky not to grab his second of the game when his free-kick cannoned off the crossbar to save Costa Rica from further damage on 58 minutes.

Lookman finally claimed his brace and England's second in the 63rd minute when he slotted from close range after he jinked his way past two defenders.

With a minute left on the clock, Costa Rica halved the deficit, Randall Leal's penalty had been saved before he blasted home the rebound to pull it back to 2-1.

Paul Simpson's side will face either Mexico or Senegal in Monday's quarterfinal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : thefa.com