Confirmation of Italy as the favorite and a triumph of surprising Israel marked this weekend’s quarter-finals of an U-20 World Cup in which Uruguay remains the sole beacon of US representation in the tournament.
Brazil and Colombia had to say goodbye, while South Korea again advanced to the semi-finals at the expense of mighty Nigeria.
Another goal from Cesare Casadei, the fall of Gabriel Slonina’s goal, a superb goal from Dor Turgeman and a superb header from Choi Seokhyun added spice to a game entering its final week.
THE FAMOUS ‘GARRA CHARRUA’
Uruguay had a difficult stop. The United States were the only undefeated player in the U-20 World Cup and goalkeeper Slonina had not conceded a goal so far.
The Americans eliminated New Zealand on Tuesday while the Celeste beat Uzbekistan on Thursday. According to this, those led by Marcelo Broli had rested less than their rival.
And if that wasn’t enough, the injuries to Matías Abaldo and Andrés Ferrari, added to the exclusion of Luciano Rodríguez, meant that Uruguay had to face an 18-man squad.
None of this mattered. Uruguay led their opponents against the ropes with an Anderson Duarte goal in the 21st minute and hit him on the chin with Joshua Wynder’s own goal shortly after the start of the second half.
La Celeste won 0-2 and will play another semi-final, this time with a bonus: thousands of fans will cross the Río de la Plata to cheer them on.
Uruguay stood up for America and will settle in La Plata from Monday to work there and go for everything.
The famous “charrúa claw” – to give a little more when it is no longer possible – is more valid than ever and will now try to force itself on an Israel that has already made history.
THE FIRST TIME
Missing the chance to condemn a game against Brazil often pays dearly. Israel did it twice, although that didn’t stop it from making history.
In his entry into history in an U-20 World Cup, Ofir Haim’s eleven took out epic to get into the top four.
Brazil started to win and Israel tied. Brazil again took the lead and Israel equalized again in a match that went into extra time.
There, Haim’s substitutions were fundamental for a team that fought to the end and took victory thanks to a fine goal from striker Turgeman.
In the end, Israel missed two penalties, but nothing changed. Haim’s team reached the semi-finals, even if they could not count on Oscar Gloukh, their great figure in the European Under-19 Championship.
Now they will take on Uruguay in a duel marked by the physical strength that both have shown and by the collective play of the two.
THERE WAS NO COMEBACK
Another who will contest the semifinals is Italy. Carmine Nunziata’s team qualified for that instance after leaving Colombia on the road, unable to come back this time.
The South Americans added seven points in the group stage, all after reversing unfavorable results. Then they crushed Slovakia.
Italy surprised from the start by beating Brazil, although their loss to Nigeria saw them move up as one of the top third places and face England.
There, Nunziata’s men took revenge for what happened in the semi-finals of the European Under-19 Championship and ended up in the top eight in the world.
And now they moved up once again after beating Colombia 3-1 in a game where Tommaso Baldazani once again shone and Casadai scored his sixth goal in five games.
The team’s great defensive work and air power are two of the many virtues of a side that this time will try not to repeat what happened in 2017 and 2019 when they had to play for third place.
REVENGE TIME
The one who will try to repeat and improve will be South Korea, who got into the final in the last game, although it later fell to Ukraine.
Seokhyun was in charge of scoring the goal that sealed the Asians’ standings against Nigeria in extra time.
Executioner of Argentina in the round of 16, Ladan Bosso’s team did not repeat its performance and Africa, as in the last two tournaments, will not have representatives in the semifinals.
Uruguay, Israel, Italy or South Korea: next Sunday the U-20 World Cup will have a new champion.
Source: El heraldo
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
