Josh Brillante settled the nerves of the Australian side with a wonder strike in the ninth minute, cannoning a long range effort past the helpless El Salvador keeper.

But the confidence boost didn't last long, and a high ball into the box caused chaos in the Australian defence less than 10 minutes later.

Skipper Curtis Good was dragged out of position, Jason Geria missed a crucial header, Connor Chapman failed to intercept in the six yard box and keeper Paul Izzo was caught flat footed as Diego Coca sent the ball past him into the net.

The Australians tried to regroup but the opposition grew stronger as the game wore in.

El Salvador were rewarded for their fast counter attacking football with a perfect cutback into the box which was clinically finished by the ever dangerous Jose Pena to take the lead just before the break.

The shell-shocked Aussies came back out in the second half looking for an equaliser but El Salvador were even more emboldened by their shock lead and proved a constant threat.

From the very kick-off they launched a cheeky shot on goal from the centrespot that tested Izzo's awareness from the get-go.

Although the Young Socceroos dominated possession statistics, they were unable to convert it into goals, despite some golden opportunities.

Chapman probably had the best chance of the game when the ball found him unmarked at the far post and an apparent open goal but miskicked his shot and missed the target entirely.

Coach Paul Okon used all three subs in a bid to change the game, bringing on Corey Gameiro, Jamie Maclaren and Ryan Williams, but they could not change the game's momentum.

But with full-time approaching, there was still drama left in the clash.

In the dying seconds of injury time, Australia had one last chance to equalise when El Salvador performed a backpass in the box.

The Young Socceroos had an indirect freekick just yards from the goalline, but the Gameiro/Maclaren combination move fired harmlessly across the goal to end the game.

Australia will now face hosts Turkey in their final U20s World Cup group game overnight on Friday/Saturday which they must now win to have any hope of automatically qualifying for the next round.