rik Lamela’s second-half goal lifted Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Mexico in Group F. Lamela, who is headed to Italian club Roma from River Plate, broke from midfield in the 71st minute and blasted a 20-meter shot inside the far post, beyond Mexico goalkeeper Carlos Lopez.

Brazil took the lead in its  Group E opener but Egypt equalized and spurned good opportunities to take a surprise win.

In other games, England and North Korea drew 0-0 in Group F, while Austria and Panama played a scoreless draw in Group E.

Argentina’s victory will be welcome in a proud football country that has been having problems. The senior national team was ousted from the Copa America in the quarterfinals, prompting the firing of coach Sergio Batista.

Under-20 coach Walter Perazzo has acknowledged his job may also be on the line if Argentina does not make the semifinals.

Argentina has won five of the past eight U20 World Cups, and six overall — the most by any nation.

“Mexico at times controlled the ball,” Perazzo said. “But whenever we had it we generated the most dangerous chances.”

“This gives the group confidence,” he said. “Winning the first game is very important.”

Mexico seemed to have scored in the 48th minute when Alan Pulido chipped the ball past keeper Esteban Andrada, but the play was correctly ruled offside.

“We planned to attack in the match,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Chavez said. “We are a team that can score, but today it didn’t happen.”

Mexican football is having a great year. The senior team won the Gold Cup, defeating the United States 4-2 in the final. Mexico also won the Under-17 World Cup, beating Uruguay in the final 2-0.

Brazil was lucky to get the draw against Egypt. Danilo gave Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with a header from a corner, but Egypt equalized through Omar Gaber in the 26th and was a bit unlucky not to take all three points.

Gaber could have given Egypt at 2-1 lead in the 48th, but despite taking his time and being left along he shot just wide of the far post from 12 meters (yards).

In the 85th, Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Elshenawi had to leave the match after being struck in the face by Henrique, who chased a loose ball into the area and inadvertently kicked Elshenawi in the face. Egypt had a substitution up its sleeve to allow the back-up keeper to come on.

The performance has to make Egypt one of the early dark-horse choices for the title while casting doubt on the claims of Brazil, which is a perennial favorite in any tournament.

England had the better chances but could not break through against the under-19 Asian champions North Korea.
 
Blackburn cruises to easy win over HK champions

In Hong Kong, goals from young guns Mauro Formica and Nick Blackman helped Blackburn Rovers to an easy 3-0 win over Hong Kong champions Kitchee in the Barclays Asia Trophy on Saturday.

Veteran David Dunn also got on the scoresheet as Rovers sealed third place in the four-team tournament, giving manager Steve Kean a lift after losing a physical encounter with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Kean has used this week's tournament to give his players valuable minutes on the pitch, using substitutions sparingly ahead of the start of the Premier League season in two weeks.

Formica opened the scoring with 10 minutes to go in the first half, putting away a diving header in the six-yard box after a deft cross from Australian winger Brett Emerton.

The Argentinian playmaker has looked promising playing on the right wing or in an attacking role behind Jason Roberts, and will give Kean some creative options with striker Nikola Kalinic set leave Ewood Park.

Midfield anchor Dunn doubled the lead with a free kick mid-way through the second half, curling a shot over the wall and past the reach of Kitchee goalie Wang Zhenpeng. Substitute Blackman, 21, wrapped up the match with a penalty after he was felled by Kitchee captain Ubay Luzardo.