England’s U20 sealed qualification to the last 16 of the World Cup after beating Uruguay 3-2 at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata late on Thursday.
The Young Lions under coach Ian Foster, started the strongest side in the Group E contest and they opened the scoring after just 22 minutes when Bashir Humphreys drew the first blood.
England then doubled their lead at the stroke of half-time when Alfie Devine beat Uruguay goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez for a 2-0 lead at the half-time break.
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However, in the second half, Uruguay came back a more rejuvenated side and they reduced the deficit when Franco Gonzalez scored in the 49th minute but Marcelo Broli’s side couldn’t produce an equaliser and instead saw England sealing the win just before full-time.
This time it was Darko Gyabi, who buried it at the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Uruguay once again managed to cut the lead with Matias Abaldo’s effort but it was too late as Foster’s men held on to reach the Round of 16.
England, who opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory against Tunisia, will now hope to seal the top spot when they take on Iraq in their final group fixture at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata on Sunday.