Italy reached the U-20 World Cup quarter-finals after defeating ten-man Spain 3-1 in a playoff on Monday. Mattia Mustacchio takes credit for the pivotal victory as he scored either side of the interval, while Andrea Mazzarani netted the second goal. Aaron Niguez pulled one back for Spain when the Italians were two goals ahead with a right-footed shot from outside the area. Spain played for more than one hour with a man down, after Alberto Botio was dismissed after 27 minutes for a harmful challenge on Mustacchio. The numerical disadvantage abysmally affected Spain, which gave their opponents the opportunity to take a stranglehold on the game. Mustacchio broke the deadlock from close range five minutes from the hour mark, after Spain defenders failed to steal the ball from him. Mazzarani doubled the score six minutes later when he capitalized on a defensive lapse to make his way through and slot home. Spain's Niguez reduced the arrears in the 66th minute upon converting a penalty kick. But Italy restored their two-goal cushion three minutes from time, when Mustacchio outran his marker from the left wing to penetrate the area and score with a nice low effort. On 65 minutes, Vincenzo Fiorillo prevented Niguez from completing a brace from another spot kick, as he blocked his shot competently.