Michael Woud’s New Zealand exited the FIFA U20 World Cup on Thursday evening at the hands of a rampant USA side.
Josh Sargent scored his fourth of the tournament, equalling the record amassed by former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore in 2007.
Sargent’s goal on 32 minutes came with a bit of luck as Justen Glad's initial volley from a corner kick took a slight deflection off the St. Louis-native's shin before going in.
New Zealand were by no means out of the last 16 clash at half-time, trailing by a solitary goal, but the American international side upped their game following the restart and quickly built an unassailable lead.
Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse doubled Tab Ramos' side's lead on 64 minutes with a thunderous strike from a Sargent knock-down header. Brooks Lennon then scored with a precise finish into the bottom corner less than a minute later as USA put one foot into the quarter-finals.
Glad added to the scoreline nine minutes later, finding space in the penalty area from a corner and steering Lennon’s delivery into the net with his head.
Woud had little time to react as Glad’s header rocketed past him before Auston Trusty scored directly from a corner.
Lagos Kunga completed the rout when he scored in stoppage time with a low, left-foot shot into the bottom corner following an intricate pass from Luca de la Torre.
USA will now compete in the quarter-finals of the U20 World Cup for a second consecutive edition, with Venezuela their last-eight opponents in Jeonju on Sunday 4 June.
FT - New Zealand 0-6 USA
