2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup: Argentina and England Upsets, Brazil and Colombia Advance to the Quarterfinals

2023-06-01 13:33:00

Nigeria fell to Messi 18 years ago
The home team took revenge by blocking Argentina’s 10-game winning streak
England lost to Italy 1-2
‘Goal Feast’ Brazil, Colombia advance to the quarterfinals

I can’t believe it… Juan Guato of Argentina suffers after losing to Nigeria in the round of 16 of the U-20 World Cup on the 1st. San Juan | EPA Yonhap News

In the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the host country Argentina, which was considered a strong candidate for the championship, failed to advance to the round of 16. European champions England were also eliminated in the round of 16.

The Argentina U-20 soccer team lost 0-2 in the round of 16 against Nigeria held at San Juan Stadium on the 1st. They knocked on the Nigerian goal throughout the first half, but rather gave up the opening goal in the 29th minute of the second half and even gave up a key goal in extra time in the second half and collapsed.

In the final of the 2005 tournament, Nigeria gave up two goals to Lionel Messi (36, Paris Saint-Germain), avenging the bitter defeat that had been frustrated on the threshold of the championship in 18 years. Nigeria also stopped Argentina’s 10-game winning streak at the U-20 World Cup. Argentina won all 7 matches in the 2001 tournament, and won all 3 group stage matches in this tournament.

England lost 1-2 in the round of 16 against Italy held at La Plata Stadium that day. Italy scored the first goal in the 8th minute. They gave up an equalizer in the 24th minute of the first half, but at the end of the game, Cesare Casseday scored a penalty kick (PK) from an opponent’s handball foul. Last year, the European Football Federation (UEFA) Under 19 (U-19) Championship semifinal defeat was also paid back.

The remaining two matches of the round of 16, which were held on this day, came out as expected.

Brazil beat Tunisia 4-1 despite being outnumbered. At the end of the first half, defender Roberto Renan was sent off, but Marcos Leonardo scored three goals in the first half, including a PK goal, to win.

Colombia defeated Slovakia 5-1. Colombia, who finished the first half 0-0, had a goal feast from the beginning of the second half. Starting with Oscar Cortes’ goal in the 3rd minute of the second half, Yaser Aspriya in the 5th minute of the second half and Thomas Angel in the 7th minute of the second half, they scored 3 goals in 4 minutes. Angel scored an extra goal in the 18th minute of the second half to decide the game.

Brazil will face Israel at the San Juan Stadium on the 4th, who made it to the quarterfinals with two consecutive theatrical goals in their first appearance in the U-20 World Cup. Colombia will compete with Italy in San Juan on the same day to advance to the semifinals.

The competition for the top scorer heated up even more. With the goal that day, Casaday scored a total of five goals in this tournament, rising to the sole lead in scoring. On this day, Leonardo, who scored a PK goal, and Cortés, who played an active role with multiple goals, closely followed Casadei with a total of 4 goals.