Colombia Stuns Spain with Dramatic Hat-Trick,Advances to U-20 World Cup Semifinals
Santiago,Chile - Colombia delivered a stunning upset in the Under-20 World Cup quarterfinals,defeating previously favored Spain 3-2 in a thrilling match decided by a hat-trick from Neiser Villarreal. The victory sends Colombia to the tournament semifinals, where they will face either Mexico or Argentina.
Spain opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a goal from Ney,but Colombia responded strongly in the second half. Atlético de Madrid’s Belaid leveled the score at 1-1 in the 57th minute, and Virgili briefly put Spain ahead at 2-1 just three minutes later. however, Villarreal quickly answered for colombia, equalizing in the 68th minute before completing his hat-trick to secure the dramatic win.
This result marks a significant moment for Colombian football, propelling them to the final stages of the U-20 World Cup and offering a platform for emerging talents like Villarreal. Meanwhile, Spain’s elimination represents a major disappointment for a nation with a strong track record in youth competitions. elsewhere in the tournament, France will compete against Norway on Monday for the remaining spot in the semifinals alongside Colombia. The match was updated on October 12, 2025, at 02:29, following its initial publication on October 11, 2025, at 23:56.
