Sitting on two points, the Junior All Whites needed results in one of the final two groups to go their way on Sunday to join the last 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
But while Spain helped the Kiwis’ cause with a 5-1 thrashing of Australia, a 3-0 win for Ecuador over Costa Rica saw the South Americans climb to second in Group C with Costa Rica’s three points also good enough to progress in third place.
That left the Junior All Whites’ hopes hanging on the Group D encounter between Croatia and Honduras finishing in a draw.
A stalemate – and a place in the knockout stages for New Zealand – appeared on the cards until midfielder Marvin Ceballos netted an 81st minute winner that sent Guatemala through to the second round and left the Junior All Whites packing their bags.
New Zealand finishes the 24-nation tournament in 17th place, having claimed their first ever points at this level in just their second appearance at the finals.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011
Round of 16
August 10
Cameroon v Mexico – Pereira
Portugal v Guatemala – Cali
Colombia v Costa Rica – Bogota
Argentina v Egypt – Medellin
August 11
Nigeria v England – Armenia
Spain v Korea Republic – Manizales
Brazil v Saudi Arabia – Barranquilla
France v Ecuador – Cartagena
New Zealand finish 17th
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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