The United States moved on to the knockout round of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Friday after a thrilling 2-1 win over Brazil, which will have to wait to learn its fate.

Forward Josmer Altidore provided both goals for the U.S., which finished with seven points to win Group D.  

American forward Josmer Altidore, centre, celebrates his first of two goals with teammates Freddy Adu, left, and Sal Zizzo Friday night at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Ottawa.
(Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

"When I was younger we played them and lost to them. I had butterflies before this game, we all did. It still hasn't sunk in yet," Altidore said. "It was a great night."

But with Poland also advancing from Group D on Friday, Brazil must now wait and hope for some help in order to earn one of the four third-place knockout spots in the next round.

"It's a bad situation," Brazil coach Nelson Rodrigues said through a translator. "The U.S. was a very patient team, not like Brazil. In a game like that, you must show patience."

The U.S. put pressure on Brazil from the start in Ottawa, keeping them on their heels. Altidore narrowly missed putting the U.S. up 1-0 in the 22nd minute but he couldn't make solid contact on a cross from Robbie Rogers.

But the striker made no mistake on his next opportunity, picking up a loose ball near the top of the box in the 25th minute and hammering a shot on target that eluded goalkeeper Cassio to put the U.S. up 1-0.

Amaral had Brazil's best chance of the half, taking a feed at the top of the box and sending a cross through the crease as U.S. goalkeeper Chris Seitz and defenders collapsed on him. But his teammates couldn't convert the pass, allowing it to roll harmlessly wide of the net.

Brazil became much more active in the game's second half as Alexandre Pato charged up the left side of the field about 10 minutes into the half and patiently delivered a perfect low cross that his teammates couldn't convert.

Pato took it upon himself on his next opportunity, as he just missed converting a clever chip shot over Seitz and on a breakaway as it hit the side netting.

But after a great display of skill from the Brazilian side in the second half, it took an ugly goal for them to finally level the score.

After a poor clearing attempt by American midfielder Michael Bradley kept the ball near the penalty box, Brazil's Renato Augusto unleashed a powerful volley that Seitz stopped but couldn't control.

As the ball rolled forward, Seitz, Brazilian midfielder Leandro Lima and American defender Ofori Sarkodie all slid in an attempt to challenge for it. Sarkodie pushed the ball into his own net and the goal was credited to Lima to tie the game.

The U.S. regained the lead in the 81st minute thanks to the dangerous duo of Altidore and Freddy Adu.

Adu had the ball in the right corner and beat a couple of defenders to advance into the Brazilian penalty box. Adu then sent a low ball across the goal mouth that was deflected by a defender onto the foot of an unchecked Altidore, who made no mistake to put the U.S. up 2-1.

Brazil had two great chances from forward Jo and substitute Luiz Adriano during a furious late rally, but the U.S. managed to hang on for the victory.

"I would be remiss to say it's just another game," said U.S. coach Thomas Rongen. "As a developing (soccer) nation, for us to beat Brazil ... it's very important to be able to push our country to higher levels."

The U.S. will take on the third-place qualifier from group B, E or F on Wednesday in Toronto (CBC, Country Canada, 7:45 p.m. ET).

Poland advances after draw with South Korea

Poland couldn't hang on to a lead over South Korea on Friday, but a 1-1 draw at Olympic Stadium in Montreal allowed them to advance to the knockout round from Group D.

Dawid Janczyk got his second goal of the tournament in the 45th minute for Poland, which booked a spot in the round of 16 with a win, a draw and a loss for four points.

"I'm very happy to get out of what they called the Group of Death," said Polish coach Michal Globisz.

"Now we can look at the U.S. game differently. We didn't keep up physically in that game, but we're back on track. I'm happy to get Argentina. Playing against Brazil and Argentina is something you can remember all your life."

South Korea ended Group D play in last place with two draws and a loss for two points.

Despite his team's elimination, coach Dong Hyun Cho remained optimistic about the direction of the sport in South Korea.

"I see a bright future for Korean football," he said. "As for an area we need to work on, it is the defence."

The Koreans had several quality chances throughout the game, but could only score the one goal thanks to a combination of missed opportunities coupled with two disallowed goals.

Tae Goon Ha appeared to score early, but the referee ruled that he touched the ball with his arm before the shot, cancelling the goal.

Janczyc's goal came just before halftime, as he took a pass from about 40 yards away from the net. With his back to the goal, he put a ball between two defenders who were playing too close and collected it on the other side. Janczyk then had a clear path to the net and fired a low shot through the legs of South Korean goalkeeper Jin Hyeon Kim to put Poland up 1-0 at the half.

South Korea was finally rewarded in the second half as Sang Ho Lee scored in the 71st minute.

Lee appeared to score the go-ahead goal in the 76th minute, but it was called back because he was offside.

Polish defender Krzyztof Strugarek deflected another quality chance from Lee off-target in the 87th minute after a good run down the right side.  

South Korea had another great attempt during injury time, but Bialkowski made the save of the match, leaping to his left to get just enough of Lee's header to keep it out.

"It's my job to stop all the balls that come," was the goalkeepers' only response when asked about the save.

Poland moves on to face Argentina on Thursday in Toronto (CBC, Country Canada, 4:45 p.m. ET).

With files from the Canadian Press