New Zealand have been eliminated from the under-20 soccer World Cup in Colombia, results on the final day of pool play confirming their exit.
Sitting on two points, New Zealand needed results in one of the final two groups to go their way yesterday to join the last 16 asone of the four best third place teams.
But while Spain helped New Zealand's cause with a 5-1 thrashing of Australia, a 3-0 win for Ecuador over Costa Rica saw the South Americans climb to second in Group C with Costa Rica's three points also good enough to progress in third place.
That left the Junior All Whites hopes hanging on the Group D encounter between Croatia and Guatemala finishing in a draw.
A stalemate - and a place in the knockout stages for New Zealand - appeared on the cards until midfielder Marvin Ceballos netted an 81st minute winner that sent Guatemala through to the second round and left the New Zealanders packing their bags.
New Zealand finished the 24-nation tournament in 17th place, having claimed their first points at this level in just their second appearance at the finals.
Meanwhile, questions loom over Australia's national youth football teams after the Young Socceroos bombed out.
The winless Australians finished last in a tough group behind Spain, Ecuador and Costa Rica.
Coach Jan Versleijen laid blame on his defenders after Spain scored four goals in the opening 18 minutes despite resting several of their leading players.
But his coaching tenure is certain to come under scrutiny, having also guided the Joeys in their unimpressive effort at the recent Under-17 World Cup in Mexico, where they scraped into the round of 16 and were belted 4-0 by Uzbekistan.
Versleijen did not mince words after the Young Socceroos' big loss to Spain.
"It is very obvious that, in the first 15 minutes of this game, especially in the backline, we had some players that were not at a World Cup level," said the coach.
"And if you're not concentrating and not in the game then against good opposition like Spain you will be penalised straight away."
With his team already through to the knockout stages, Spain's coach Julen Lopetegui rested regular starters such as Rodrigo.
