Mexico's goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez stops a goal attempt as teammate Hector Acosta (R) and Colombia's Luis Muriel look on during their FIFA U-20 World Cup match in Bogota Saturday. – Reuters BOGOTA, Colombia — Mexico remained in position to win its third major football tournament this year, beating Colombia 3-1 Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup. Mexico's senior team won the regional Gold Cup title in June, defeating the United States 4-2, and added the Under-17 World Cup title in July, beating Uruguay 2-0 in the final. Next up for Mexico will be either Spain or Brazil. In Saturday's other quarterfinal, Portugal ousted six-time champion Argentina 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 stalemate through 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time. Portugal faces the winner of the match between Nigeria and France. Mexico's Edson Rivera broke open a 1-1 match in the 69th minute with a header and then added a second goal in the 88th. “There was a lot of celebrating when I went into the dressing room after the match,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Chavez said. “When I came in I turned off the music. Fortunately, we are in the semifinals but we are not champions.” The loss was a heartbreaker for the sellout crowd of 42,000 in Bogota, where Colombia had won its first four games. Bogota's altitude of 8,600 feet may have bothered Colombia's other opponents, but many Mexican players live at altitude in cities like Mexico City, which is 7,400 feet. “I feel a little sorry for the home fans,” Chavez said. “But we worked hard against a good team and managed to win. Maybe there were 40,000 people here cheering for Colombia, but we have 120 million Mexicans supporting us at a distance.” Mexico also defeated Colombia 2-1 in a warm-up tournament before this event. After being locked 0-0 following extra time, Portugal won the shootout 5-4 when goalkeeper Mika stopped the last attempt from Nicolas Tagliafico.Portugal, which has not allowed a goal in five matches in the tournament, is going for its third U-20 title following wins in 1989 and 1991.
