Costa Rica clip Aussies in Under-20 World Cup

MANIZALES, Colombia (AP):

Defender John Ruiz scored a 72nd-minute winner to give Costa Rica a 3-2 victory over Australia on Wednesday, boosting their chances of reaching the second round of the Under-20 World Cup.

Costa Rica's first victory in the tournament allowed them to jump to second place in Group C, three points behind Spain. Australia and Ecuador remain with one point each after two matches.

Striker Joel Campbell opened the scoring for Costa Rica in the 22nd minute at the Palogrande stadium. Tommy Oar equalised for Australia in the 26th, but Campbell netted again a minute later. Australia evened the match with an own goal by defender Franciso Calvo in the 64th, but Ruiz's header off a cross by Campbell gave Costa Rica the victory.

"It was a very difficult match, very intense," Costa Rica coach Ronald Gonzalez said.

Australia have the difficult task of trying to beat Spain tomorrow to reach the knockout stage, while Costa Rica will play Ecuador.

"We let this one get away," Australia's Dutch coach Jan Versleijen said. "We will have to get a good result against Spain, there is no alternative. It's going to be hard, no doubt. Spain are the best team in the group, but we are not giving up yet."

Second-half goals

Also on Wednesday substitutes Sergio Canales and Alvaro Vazquez scored second-half goals to help Spain defeat Ecuador 2-0 and advance to the second round of the competition.

Canales scored from close range after striker Cristian Tello stole a ball on the left side and cleared two defenders before making a low cross to the Real Madrid playmaker near the penalty spot in the 67th. Vazquez sealed victory in a breakaway in the 85th, beating a defender and scoring easily from in front of the goal.

The victory gives Spain six points from two matches in Group C, three more Costa Rica and five more than Australia and Ecuador.

Spain struggled in the first 30 minutes but slowly picked up the pace to dominate the match played also at the Palogrande stadium. It improved even more when Canales replaced Daniel Pacheco in the 56th, giving the Spaniards more offensive power.