Brave Amajita bow out as Colombia book U-20 World Cup quarter-final spot

Amajita’s impressive run at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup came to an end on Wednesday in the Round of 16 as they fell to a hard-fought 3-1 defeat against Colombia at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Talca, Chile.

Despite a spirited fightback, the African champions, Amajita, were ultimately eliminated, sending the South Americans through to the quarter-finals.

Colombia started the match with aggressive intent, immediately putting the South African defence under pressure and creating several scoring opportunities. Their early dominance was rewarded in the seventh minute when Joel Canchimbo found space to fire a shot from a difficult angle, assisted by Óscar Perea, to put Colombia up 1-0.

First-Half Blitz and Defensive Stand by Amajita and Colombia

South Africa gradually found their footing after the early setback. Their first real chance arrived in the 17th minute when Shakeel April’s left-footed effort from the right side of the box sailed narrowly over the bar following a good pass from Kaizer Chiefs star Mfundo Vilakazi.

Amajita had goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe to thank in the 23rd minute, as he produced a brilliant save in the centre of the goal to deny Kener González, who had unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box following a period of beautiful build-up play by Colombia.

South Africa began to enjoy more possession in the attacking half as the period progressed. Gomolemo Kekana registered Amajita’s best opportunity of the half in the 31st minute, sending a right-footed shot from the centre of the box just over the bar. Despite further pressure, including a header from Siviwe Magidigidi that went just high from a set piece, poor finishing and a resolute Colombian defence ensured the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Second-Half Drama and Decisive Winner

Amajita carried their momentum into the second half and were immediately rewarded. Barely a minute after the restart, Magidigidi was fouled in the penalty area by the Colombian goalkeeper, leading to a spot-kick. Following a lengthy VAR review, the penalty decision was upheld.

Mfundo Vilakazi stepped up, and after initially being saved, the referee ordered a re-take due to the goalkeeper leaving his line early. Vilakazi confidently converted the second attempt with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner, levelling the score at 1-1 in the 47th minute.

The equaliser sparked an immediate period of end-to-end action. Colombia looked for an instant response, with Smythe-Lowe again called into action to save a shot from Óscar Perea. At the other end, Jordan García saved Kutlwano Letlhaku’s effort.

Colombia pressed hard, and in the 58th minute, Neiser Villarreal struck the right post with a header. He missed another chance minutes later, but the forward made amends in the 63rd minute, firing a powerful right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the top right corner, reclaiming the lead for Colombia at 2-1.

With the lead restored, the tempo of the game dropped slightly. South Africa continued to push for a second equaliser, with late efforts from Thato Sibiya and Asekho Tiwani testing the Colombian defence, but they could not find the crucial goal.

It was Colombia who scored the third goal via Neiser Villarreal’s [brace] right-footed shot from the centre of the box in stoppage time.

The match finished 3-1, marking the end of South Africa’s campaign in what was only their second-ever appearance in the tournament’s knockout stage. Colombia now progresses to the U-20 World Cup quarter-finals.