GOOD AIRES –
Ecuador made their way to the round of 16 of the U20 World Cup on Friday with the biggest win in their history in all competitions by beating Fiji 9-0, while Argentina got a boost for what came after thrashing New Zealand 5-0.
With the goal of overcoming the historic third place in four years, La Tri took the first step, determining the next round with six points in Group B, which ended with the United States of America as the leader with nine points won 2-0. over Slovakia The European team (3) will have to wait for other results to continue in the race as one of the first four thirds.
Fiji, in their second participation in the tournament, said goodbye without points or goals.
There was enough time for the Ecuadorian to feel the duel against the lowest-ranked rival. Led by his shocking four-year celebration, Kendry Páez, the youngest player in the tournament at 16 years old, achieved the biggest victory in its history in all categories of world championships.
After seven minutes, Páez himself defined a corner with his open right foot after the assistance of Nilson at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, becoming the youngest player to score in the competition.
Páez managed to play with the baton and made a change from the front to widen José Klinger at left back in the 34th minute.
After an unsuccessful exit from Fiji’s defense, Angulo Cuero was hit, who crossed the goal with his right foot in the thirtieth minute.
Cuero scored his second goal in 45 minutes with a direct cross after an assist from Eric Yeltzin. The striker of Independiente del Valle, a prolific player of the Ecuadorian soccer academy, brought the harvest of goals to three in the tournament and is the top scorer along with Marcos Leonardo and Argentino Alejo Veliz of Brazil.
In addition, coach Miguel Bravo ordered several changes for the next commitment. But the voraciousness of the children did not cease.
At 66 minutes, Tommy Chamba put a lethal pass into the box for Alan Minda to score the fifth.
The sixth was created on the left wing, where Ariel crossed Mina’s boot, which Minda intercepted.
The change of goalkeeper -Isikeli Sevanaia for Joji Vuakaca- was of little use to the Ocean team.
Chamba increased to 89 and Cristhoper Zambrano capped off a stellar economy performance with a double, first from a penalty and then assisted by Minda pushing into the net.
Ecuador’s victory is by far the biggest in the tournament organized by Argentina, beating Brazil 6-0 against the Dominican Republic with two goals.
The leader of the United States, with several deputies, achieved a third consecutive victory.
Striker Cade Cowell held the ball in midfield and began his journey to the goal. On the way, he eluded three rivals and scored a left-footed cross at the Bicentenario Stadium in San Juan after 38 minutes.
At the end of the game, Niko Tsakiris scored the second after an assist from Quinn Sullivan.
With qualification already assured, several of the Albiceleste’s substitutes against New Zealand played with such passion and efficiency that coach Javier Mascherano was uncomfortable before the Round of 16, especially midfielder Luka Romero with a goal and an assist.
“It was a very good game. The team was aggressive when it came to recovering the ball and circulation quickly,” explained Mascherano.
In a corner kick, Ignacio Maestro Puch rose above the New Zealand goal and scored with a header after 14 minutes in the match also played in San Juan for Group A.
Romero, who at the age of 15 became the youngest player in the Spanish league with Mallorca, was clever to read the start of the opponent, stole the ball and shot Gino Infantino to score the second at 17 minutes.
The Italian midfielder from Lazio received the ball in midfield, ran a few meters and before curling a powerful left-footed shot from the area into the corner after 35 minutes.
Brian Aguirre scored the fourth penalty in the 50, penalized by Aaryan Raj’s handball.
Two starters took to the pitch to pick up the pace, including midfielder Maximo Perrone and striker Veliz. The first shot from the left and he received a precise cross into the six-yard box, where the center of Rosario Central proceeded, lethal with his head in the 87th minute.
La Albiceleste, the top winner of the competition with six titles, was first in their region with nine points. Uzbekistan beat Guatemala 2-0, and New Zealand added four points, but the Europeans qualified with a better goal difference. The Oceania champion has a good chance of entering the round of 16 as one of the best four players in the third position, but will have to wait for the first round to close.
Guatemala was eliminated without points or goals.
Uzbekistan took the lead nine minutes later when Guatemalan defender Arian Recinos pounced on a shot for his own kick and forward Shakhzodjon Nematjonov grabbed the ball and scored at the Mother City stadium.
Nematjonov, the striker of his country’s Bekabad metallurg, received a pass between the lines from Abbosbek Fayzullaev and added the count to 20 minutes.
