Football: Serbia triumph in epic penalty shootout

Cameron Carter-Vickers , right, of the USA and Serbia's Sergej Milinkovic contest for the ball during their U20 soccer World Cup quarterfinal game in Auckland. Photo / AP.

USA 0
Serbia 0
(Serbia win 6-5 on penalties)

After 120 minutes of scoreless football, Serbia advanced to the semi-finals of the Fifa U-20 World Cup with an unforgettable penalty shoot-out win over USA in Auckland.

Serbia won the shootout 6-5, but the drama surrounded the misses more than the goals.

On two occasions Serbia had the chance to win it with sudden death spot kicks and on two occasions USA goalkeeper Zackary Steffen pulled of stunning saves to keep his side in it.

But the USA outfielders weren't pulling their weight and a combination of wide, high and weak attempts ultimately sent the Americans home.

Serbia will now stay in Auckland where they will meet Mali in the semi-final, who stunned tournament favourites Germany in their quarterfinal.

Serbia looked the more likely side to score in normal time but as the rain came down and conditions under foot deteriorated, a penalty shootout always looked the most likely outcome.

USA used their tidy midfield technicians Gedion Zelalem and Emerson Hyndman well, but struggled to break down the staunch, unforgiving Serbian defence.

Not many pundits would have picked a Serbia v Mali semi-final at the tournament outset but this tournament is proving very unpredictable and both minnows will now back their chances of going all the way.