U-20 Fifa World Cup: Dazzling displays in penalty shoot-outs

Brazil's Caju and Alef celebrate as they beat Portugal 3-1 on penalties to make it into the semifinals. Photo / Getty Images

The Fifa Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals thrilled football fans around the world yesterday with dazzling upsets and nail-biting finishes.

Three of the four games were decided on penalty shootouts.

Brazil edged past Portugal 3-1 on penalties at Waikato Stadium, after the two footballing heavyweights went 120 minutes without scoring.

In Christchurch, Mali stunned tournament favourites Germany, with the young African team winning 4-3 on penalties after the game finished in a 1-1 draw and extra time remained goalless.

Senegal were the only side to win in normal time yesterday, beating Uzbekistan 1-0 at Wellington Regional Stadium - another huge milestone for a side competing in their first Under-20 World Cup.

The final game between Serbia and USA at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland proved to be the closest of all.

After normal and extra time finished nil all, the North Shore crowd were treated to an unbelievable display of penalties, with some crucial and stunning saves mixed with some truly appalling misses. In the end, Serbia scraped past USA 6-5.

This means Senegal will take on Brazil in Christchurch on Wednesday in the first semifinal, while Mali will face Serbia later that same day in Auckland in the other.