Quarter Finals

1 – B vs C – Paraguay/South Korea vs Ghana/South Africa
2 – A vs E – Spain/Italy vs Hungary/Czech Republic
3 – F vs H – Brazil/Uruguay vs Germany/Nigeria
4 – D vs G – Egypt/Costa Rica vs Venezuela/United Arab Emirates

Semi Finals

1 vs 2
3 vs 4

Final – Well, you can work out the rest.

Today Spain play Italy and Paraguay meet South Korea, but the game of the round has to be Brazil vs Uruguay. Uruguay have played some of the nicest football I’ve seen in the competition so far, with players like Jonathan Urretaviscaya, Nicolas Lodeiro and Santiago Garcia particularly impressive. A 2-2 draw with an equally strong Ghana team aside, Uruguay pretty much coasted through their group. Brazil also possess quality in their squad – Alex Teixeira, Douglas Costa and Alan Kardec to name but a few, and the winner of that game can expect to go far in Egypt.

Spain boast a forward trio very much in form and should see off Italy today. Arsenal’s Fran Merida, Daniel Parejo and Aaron Niguez are an exciting attacking spearhead of a Spanish team with good strength in depth, and as the only team in the group stages to emerge with a 100% record they are looking promising.

Fran Merida buries a penalty for Spain U-20s vs Nigeria U-20s

Ghana vs South Africa is only the sixth all-African U-20 World Cup clash in the competition’s history and it will be very tough for Bafana Bafana to overcome a Ghana side that look one of the best equipped to do well in Egypt. The Black Stars battered England 4-0 in the group stages and also held their own against Uruguay, one of the favourites. Ransford Osei, on-loan at FC Twente, has scored in every game so far and is one to watch as is Andre Ayew, son of the legendary Abedi Pele.

Two other teams I like are Egypt and Venezuela. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Egypt made it out top of their group with a 4-2 win over Italy in one of the best games of the competition so far and with two goal hero the Bogy man upfront the Pharaohs should see off Costa Rica in the last 16.

Venezuela meanwhile have been something of a revelation so far and it will be interesting to see just how far the Vinotinto can go in their first ever FIFA tournament. A win over Nigeria, one of the pre-tournament favourites, showed Venezuela mean business and backed by a loyal 400 strong group of fans they go into the game against UAE full of confidence. They also have the tournament’s top scorer in their ranks – Yonathan Del Valle has 4 goals so far and the Deportivo Tachira youngster has shown a ruthlessness in front of goal that has impressed visiting scouts.

With the final on October 16th we are faced with just over 10 days of goals, good football and the promise of youth all brought together in the magnificent, historic nation that is Egypt. Move along England, nothing to see here.