Ukraine or Panama will stand between Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernandez and his Colombian teammates and a place in the Under-20 World Cup semi-finals after they knocked out New Zealand on penalties last night.

Having scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 triumph over Tahiti which secured Colombia’s place in the last 16 in Poland, the Watford striker once again started in the last-16 tie but was to be replaced in extra-time as the two sides could not be separated following a 1-1 draw.

Colombia missed their first two penalties in the shootout, while their opponents failed to convert their second and fourth efforts before their tournament hopes were to be ended when they missed their seventh effort from 12 yards.

It took the South Americans just 11 minutes to make the breakthrough when Ivan Angulo’s inviting delivery was glanced home from close range by Andres Reyes.

New Zealand responded positively to going behind and levelled 10 minutes before the break through Elijah Just, who converted Liberato Cacace’s low cross from close range.

‘Cucho’, who has spent the past two seasons on loan with Huesca in Spain, had opportunities to put his country back in front in the second half, first seeing an effort blocked before forcing Michael Woud into a fine save with a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Would excelled again to thwart Luis Fernando Sinisterra later in the half, but neither side was able to find a second goal in normal time.

‘Cucho’ was replaced two minutes into the additional half-an-hour, which saw both sides have further opportunities to clinch a place in the quarter-finals before the penalty competition ensured Colombia’s progression into the last eight after a 5-4 victory on spot-kicks.

Their quarter-final against the winners of today's round-of-16 tie will be played on Friday at 3.30pm local time.