Spain U20 booked their spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup quarter-finals thanks to a decisive strike from Pablo Garcia, the Real Betis forward linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Garcia’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Ukraine in the Round of 16 on Tuesday evening.
According to Ficherio, Wolves’ scouts have closely monitored Garcia during his appearances for Betis in La Liga and are now tracking his progress at the U20 World Cup.
Match Overview
Ukraine began the game strongly, testing Spain goalkeeper Fran inside six minutes. Spain gradually gained control, with Garcia coming close in the 19th minute when his header went just wide.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute. Receiving a pass from Rodrigo Mendosa inside the box, Garcia fired the ball into the net, giving Spain the lead. He continued to look lively, but neither he nor his teammates managed to extend the advantage before halftime.
Ukraine had a chance to equalize three minutes before the break, as Matvii Ponomarenko headed wide, while Daniil Vashchenko’s long-range effort in the second half was blocked. Garcia also missed an opportunity to double Spain’s lead just after the hour mark.
Despite chances on both sides during stoppage time, the score remained 1-0, sending Spain through to the next stage.
Player Spotlight
The 19-year-old has been influential in Spain’s campaign, now recording three goal involvements in the tournament — scoring against Mexico, assisting against Brazil, and netting the winner versus Ukraine. His performances have further highlighted his potential as a rising star in European football.
