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2017 U-20 World Cup round-up, round of 16: Ademola Lookman guides England past Costa Rica

England's Young Lions are in the quarterfinals of a U-20 World Cup for the first time in more than 20 years.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Ademola Lookman's first goals of the 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup fired England to its first quarterfinal round appearance at this tournament since 1993. The '93 squad's third-place finish remains England's best performance at a U-20 World Cup, but this year's cohort doesn't need to match the '93 team to call this a successful tournament: England hadn't won a U-20 World Cup match since 1997 - the present team has now won three.

Costa Rica lived up to its billing as one of the weaker teams in the round of 16, though it might have given England pause had the Video Assistant Referee not called back a potential equalizer for offside. As it was, Lookman scored in the 35th and 63rd minutes to establish a 2-0 lead for his team. Los Ticos found a consolation goal in the 89th minute: Randall Leal knocked in the rebound after his penalty was saved.

The 2-1 win send England through to a quarterfinal against Senegal or Mexico on June 5. The Young Lions look to be in solid form, and will be considered favorites to win through to the semifinals, at least.