MEDELLIN, Colombia – Six-time champion Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals at the Under-20 World after Erik Lamela scored twice from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday.
The AS Roma playmaker opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and doubled the lead with another penalty in the 64th. Midfielder Carlos Luque had been fouled inside the area both times.
Egypt's only goal also came from a penalty. Striker Mohamed Salah scored in the 70th after midfielder Saleh Gomaa was shoved by an Argentine defender inside the area.
"It was a tense match but we deserved the victory," Argentina coach Walter Perazzo said.
Argentina, trying to win its seventh title, will play the quarterfinals against Portugal, which defeated Guatemala 1-0 in Cali. The match will be Saturday in Cartagena.
Lamela set the tone for Argentina from the start and was a constant threat to the Egyptian defense. He gave his team the lead after Luque was brought down by a defender while trying to make a run on the left side of the box. Lamela fired a low shot into the left corner of the net and Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Elshenawi only got his finger tips to the ball.
Luque was fouled again in a breakaway to set up Lamela's second penalty, this one converted with a mid-height shot into the left corner as Elshenawi dived the other way.
Lamela is playing despite having a nagging left ankle injury since he arrived in Colombia.
The Egyptians complained strongly when the match ended, especially because of the first penalty call made by Swedish referee Markus Strombergsson. They claimed Luque was never touched by the defender.
Egypt coach El Sayed Diaa later played down the complaints.
"It's football, maybe there were mistakes, maybe not," he said. "We have to accept it. Egypt played very well, we just couldn't get the win."
The match at the Atanasio Girardot stadium was an even contest until midway through the first half, when Argentina began controlling the action.
Lamela had a chance with a free kick that missed over the crossbar in the 20th, and striker Facundo Ferreyra nearly scored when his firm header from a corner struck the post in the 26th.
Egypt had a few opportunities with long-range shots by midfielders Omar Gaber and Mohamed El Neny, but they were denied by Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada, who is reportedly set to join Barcelona after the tournament.
Andrada had to make another key save in 62nd as the Egyptians began the second half on attack, and he barely tipped the ball away on a long-range strike by El Neny in the 79th.
Argentina is the tournament's most successful team with titles in 1979, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2007, including five of the last eight championships.
Argentina reached the second round in first place in Group F, which also contained England, Mexico and North Korea. Egypt was second in Group E, behind Brazil and ahead of Panama and Austria.
