Favourites Argentina were left facing early elimination from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup for the first time in 24 years on Friday, as hosts New Zealand kept their hopes alive.
Argentina, who have won the youth championship a record six times, played out a scoreless draw with Austria to finish third in Group B with just two points.
The Austrians advanced to the last-16 along with Ghana, but Argentina must rely on other results to avoid their worst showing at the tournament since 1991.
Ukraine outclassed USA 3-0, although both teams qualified from Group A, with New Zealand also likely to go through after thrashing Myanmar 5-1.
Argentina in the past have used the youth tournament as a launching pad for stars such as Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Aimar.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2015.
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