U-20 World Cup 2013: Updated Bracket, Teams and Preview for Round of 16

The U-20 World Cup in Turkey moves into the knockout stages this week, with a stack of mouth-watering fixtures due to be played over Tuesday and Wednesday.

There were no major shocks in the group stages, though England failed once again at youth level and finished last in Group E, while the USA earned a draw with heavyweights France but lost heavily to Ghana and Spain to also miss the cut.

Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Greece and Croatia topped their respective groups, as did surprise packets Iraq. 

There is plenty to look forward to in the round of 16 with the big guns all looking in good form and the tournament set up nicely.

Round of 16 Schedule

Date	Time*	Location	Match
Tuesday, July 2	6pm	Istanbul	Spain vs. Mexico
Tuesday, July 2	6pm	Gaziantep	Greece vs. Uzbekistan
Tuesday, July 2	9pm	Istanbul	Nigeria vs. Uruguay
Tuesday, July 2	9pm	Gaziantep	France vs. Turkey
Wednesday, July 3	6pm	Kayseri	Portugal vs. Ghana
Wednesday, July 3	6pm	Bursa	Croatia vs. Chile
Wednesday, July 3	9pm	Trabzon	Colombia vs. South Korea
Wednesday, July 3	9pm	Antalya	Iraq vs. Paraguay

*All times are given in local (Turkish) time. For EDT, take off seven hours.

Teams to watch

Portugal

The Iberians have an impressive record in this competition, having won it in 1989 and 1991 and finished runners up to Brazil in the last edition two years ago.

This generation of Portuguese youngsters have so far showed they are once again a force to be reckoned with, cruising through the group stage with exciting winger Bruma notching five goals and two assists.

Ghana showed they are no pushovers by hammering USA 4-1 in their final group game, so this clash promises to be one of he most exciting of the round of 16.

Colombia

Though they were disappointing in their first game in drawing 1-1 with Australia, Colombia look to be growing into the tournament nicely. 

A narrow win over hosts Turkey and a convincing 3-0 dismissal of El Salvador gave the South Americans top spot in the group and set up a knockout match against Korea Republic.

Juan Fernando Quintero is Colombia's danger man, and if he continues to live up to expectations, his team could go far in this competition.

Spain

The world champions at senior level have also dominated under-age football in recent years, and this U-20 side are favorites to go all the way in Turkey.

Their win against a highly-rated France outfit in the group stage was particularly impressive.

Real Madrid's Jese has proved a handful for opposition defenses thus far in a Spain side notably lacking in Barcelona players (Gerard Deulofeu is the only player from the Catalan club).

Predictions

Expect the European teams to throw their weight around in the knockout stages, with Spain, Greece, Croatia and Portugal to win their encounters, while France will be too strong for hosts Turkey. 

Nigeria against Uruguay is a tough one to call, but the Africans might just edge it.

South America should continue its participation into the quarter-finals with Colombia and Paraguay accounting for South Korea and Iraq respectively.