Fulham’s Emerson Hyndman scores again, Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem shines as US are first into U20 World Cup knockouts

The United States sealed their place in the last 16 of the U20 World Cup on Tuesday, Fulham's Emerson Hyndman scoring for a second straight game and Arsenal youth Gedion Zelalem assisting on a goal in a 4-0 win against New Zealand.

US captain and Fulham player Emerson Hyndman celebrates scoring his team’s second goal in a 4-0 Fifa Under 20 World Cup victory against New Zealand on Tuesday. Ben Campbell / EPA / June 2, 2015

Associated Press

Rubio Rubin scored twice around goals by Emerson Hyndman and Paul Arriola, and the United States routed hosts New Zealand 4-0 Tuesday at Wellington to become the first team to reach the last-16 knockout round of the Fifa Under 20 World Cup.

The US, with two wins from two matches for the first time in 14 appearances at the tournament, close the group stage against Ukraine on Friday. The Americans opened with a 2-1 win over Myanmar last weekend.

On a wet and cold day, Rubin put the US ahead in the sixth minute when he tapped in a cross from Bradford Jamieson IV following Hyndman’s corner kick.

Hyndman doubled the lead in the 34th when he scored through the arms of goalkeeper Oliver Sail with a right-footed shot after Rubin’s initial attempt was blocked by the keeper. Hyndman, a grandson of former FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman, became the first American to score in consecutive matches at the tournament since Jozy Altidore in 2007.

Arriola made it 3-0 in the 58th when he took a pass from Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem, ran into the penalty area and scored with a right-footed shot that went in off the left post.

Zelalem, who plays for English club Arsenal, became eligible last month to play for the Americans and made his first start for the US team.

Rubin scored the final goal in the 83rd when he tapped in a cross from Desevio Payne.

Zack Steffen recorded a clean sheet in goal for the Americans, who out-shot New Zealand 30-11.

US forward Maki Tall will miss the rest of the tournament after breaking the big toe of his left foot in the opener.

In the other Group A game, Ukraine defeated Myanmar 6-0 as Viktor Kovalenko had two goals and two goal assists. Ukraine had opened with a 0-0 draw against the hosts.

In Group B, Ghana upset South American champions Argentina 3-2 and Austria defeated Panama 2-1.

Ghana opened a 3-0 lead on goals by Benjamin Tetteh in the 44th and Clifford Aboagye in the 59th followed by Yaw Yebboah’s penalty kick in the 69th. Argentina closed when Giovanni Simeone scored in the 80th and Emiliano Buendia in the 90th.

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