right wing respectively.Ben Smith, Waiseke Naholo, Geor

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Spain became the first team to advance to the knockout stages of the Under-20 World Cup, earning a lacklustre 1-0 victory over Ghana on Monday. The United States boosted its chances of reaching the final 16 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with France after a late strike by Daniel Cuevas. Spain, the tournament favourite, was a shadow of the team that routed the Americans 4-1. It rarely threatened and often appeared unsettled by Ghanas pressing style. The only real chance for Spain came in the 13th minute when Denis Suarez took a long ball and sent a pass to an unmarked Jese who tapped it in. Ghana had the better chances in the second period but struggled to finish. A header from Frank Acheapong went wide in the 55th and then Yiadome Boakye spun around and fired his shot just over the goal three minutes later. Ghanas Ebenezer Assifuah was taken down in the area in injury time by defender Israel Puerto but no penalty was called. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui insisted he was "happy" with his sides performance despite its lack of offence. "We played a strong physical team and we had a lot of chances," he said. "We scored one goal and dominated the second half. We are very happy to be in the second round." Ghanas Sellas Tetteh praised his players "brave" effort and blamed the poor finish on his sides inexperience. It now must beat the United States in its final group match for any chance of advancing. "You never call it over until its over," Tetteh said. "That is the game of football. There is nothing that is impossible. We will give it our final shot." In the earlier match, France looked on pace to win and advance after Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo scored his second goal of the tournament from a penalty kick in the 48th minute. It came after Dimitri Foulquier was sideswiped by Americas Javan Torre in the area. The United States had few chances and missed those it did have -- the worst when Luis Gils penalty was easily saved in the 65th. But the Americans grew in confidence toward the end and it paid off in the 85th. Gil made up for his miss, curving a free kick into the area that Cuevas pounced on and scored. "I feel like they were confused. They couldnt get the ball out and luckily it took a bounce my way and I got to push it in," Cuevas said. The late goal showed the character of the American team, he said. "Our team is very united and we are always together and pushing forward," Cuevas said. "If things dont go our way, we keep trying and keep trying until they do. Luckily we got the tie." Coach Tab Ramos admitted he was a "little disappointed" with the performance from the Americans early on but happy to come away with a draw. "My disappointment is that in a game like today we should have gotten all three points," Ramos said. "At the end of the day, it was great courage, effort by our team." With France and Spain having won their openers, the United States needs a victory in its final match against Ghana to advance outright. But it could still advance as one of the four best third-placed teams. France failed to repeat the form that beat Ghana 3-1 in its opener. "I dont think we had a great control of the game tonight," France coach Pierre Mankowski said. "It feels a bit strange because the U.S. team was hardly dangerous. But they had situations they should have never had. We conceded a penalty and a free-kick, which led to their goal." France will be without captain Paul Pogba for their final group match against Spain after a second yellow card in two matches. "The boys were really disappointed at the end of the game," Mankowski said. "Playing without Pogba for the last crucial game against Spain is something we have to figure out tomorrow when things will be quieter." In the other early match in Group B, Nigeria got its campaign on track with a 3-0 win over newcomer Cuba. Aminu Umar scored twice in four minutes and captain Abdul Ajagun got his third of the tournament as the African team easily beat Cuba. Nigeria opened the scoring when Olarenwaju Kayodefed fed Umar for the easy tap-in with 19 minutes gone. Four minutes later, Abdullahi Shehu drilled a cross which Umar flicked between his legs for the goal. The Nigerians completed the route in the 67th when Kingsley Madus cross was headed home by Ajagun. In the other Group B match, South Korea twice came from behind to draw with Portugal 2-2. Ultra Boost Canada Online . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Adidas Canada Outlet . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. http://www.discountultraboostcanada.com/ . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Adidas Ultra Boost Canada .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Discount Ultra Boost Canada Shoes . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Chicago is the centre of the sporting universe this week, only the All Blacks and Ireland have nothing to do with it. The Windy City is basking in the drought-breaking glory of the Chicago Cubs who, after a 108-year wait, are finally World Series champions. The party is unlikely to subside for some time, but Chicagoans who do turn their minds to other things will be wise to embrace rugby as they have a chance to see one of the truly great sporting teams in action on Saturday.After setting a world record for consecutive Tier One wins, the All Blacks have set their sights on finishing the year unbeaten. Having romped through the Rugby Championship, disposing of Australia, Argentina and South Africa with ease, and Wales 3-0 before that, a four-Test tour in the northern hemisphere will seemingly hold few fears. Still, Australia troubled New Zealand just enough in Bledisloe III to show the All Blacks may be the slightest bit vulnerable -- providing you can play for the entire 80 minutes.And that will be the challenge for Ireland. Playing their first Test since a 2-1 series loss in South Africa, Joe Schmidts side will likely be a tad rusty. That is forgivable to a point, but New Zealand, given their expertise on turnover ball, wont be anywhere near as gracious.Team newsNew ZealandHaving experienced a wretched injury toll at lock, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will blood an all-Blues second-row pairing in Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipolutu. Kainos shift from No. 6 means there is a just a second Test start for Liam Squire while a fit-again Sam Cane has replaced Matt Todd at No. 7. Aaron Smith returns at half-back after missing back-to-back Tests due to indiscriminate use of a disabled toilet, while George Moala and Waisake Naholo have also been awarded starts at outside centre and right wing respectively.Ben Smith, Waiseke Naholo, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain).Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.IrelandJoe Schmidt has named an impressive line-up with veteran Rob Kearney getting the nod at full-back. That selection means Jared Payne will start from outside centre in a backline that features familiar faces Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Andrew Trimble. The pack also boasts plenty of experience with captain Rory Best and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip leading the charge.Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip.Replacements:Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Garry Ringrose.Key matchup: Beauden Barrett vs Jonny SextonWhat in the world happened to Barrett in Auckland a fortnight ago? While his inaccurate goal-kicking came as little surprise, Barretts lack of timing and poor execution oof fly-half play was unlike anything weve seen from him this season.dddddddddddd Rather than condemn Barrett -- a fancy for World Rugby Player of the Year despite his Auckland shocker -- to the pine, Hansen has decided that performance was an aberration and backed Barrett to regain control of the All Blacks juggernaut. If Barrett can rediscover the form he has shown in just about every other match hes played this year, Ireland could well be in for a long night.Sexton doesnt possess the same attacking brilliance or the turn of speed as Barrett, but he is arguably more adept at steering a Test side around the paddock given his 64 Test caps. He knows what it takes to win the big games, too, as evidenced by his efforts in the British & Irish Lions 2-1 series win in Australia and Irelands back-to-back Six Nations triumphs of 2014 and 2015. Sexton will likely go to the air with regularity early, but he must take the line on himself as the match progresses - an area where the Wallabies Bernard Foley enjoyed success a fortnight ago.Key stats- Ireland have never beaten New Zealand, with their most recent encounter in 2013 ending in heartbreak after Aaron Cruden was allowed to retake a match-winning conversion after an 82nd-minute try.- Julian Savea will bring up his 50th Test cap; he has scored 45 tries to date.- This is just the second time Ireland and New Zealand have met on neutral ground, the first coming at Rugby World Cup 1995 when the All Blacks triumphed 43-19.WeatherChicago is set for a clear, sunny day throughout Saturday, with the temperature set to hover around a cool 12 degrees (Celsius) come kick-off.What they said:I listened to Joe (Maddon), the Chicago coach saying that curses and such things arent what make sport, its actually the process of getting across the line that makes it. So, I know that this Irish side is a good team, last time we played them they should have won and theyve only gotten better since then. - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.Its really exciting, there was quite a buzz on the flight over. We were out getting coffee and met come Cubs fans, and Bears Fans, they were asking are we the Irish team, and they know about the game. Were expecting a huge crowd, a lot of Irish here and a huge sports town. All the guys are excited to play in such a cool city, and hopefully they come out in numbers and make a lot of noise to aid us. - Ireland half-back Conor Murray.VerdictIreland are capable of ruining New Zealands season of perfection, but that challenge will come when the two sides meet in Dublin in a few weeks time. Put simply, the Irish wont have had enough time together to trouble an All Blacks side that has been humming all year. No-one has got within 14 points of the world champions this season, and Ireland wont improve on that margin in Chicago this weekend. The Cubbies may have ended a 108-year wait for World Series glory this week, but this Test wont follow that same drought-breaking script.New Zealand by 17. ' ' '