Host Argentina has become the first team to advance to the round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.
Argentina earned a 3-0 victory over Guatemala in their second Group A match of the tournament at the Santiago del Estero Stadium on Thursday (June 24). The win over Guatemala, which followed a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan, gave Argentina two points (6), which means that even if they lose their final three games, they will at least finish second in the group and book their ticket to the Round of 16 early. The tournament will feature the top two finishers from each group and the four best-placed teams from each group. Argentina, the six-time defending champions, are looking for their seventh title in the tournament.
It was a one-sided game.메이저놀이터 With 74% possession, Argentina dominated in every aspect of the game, including shots (20-4) and passes (706-247). In a rough-and-tumble affair that saw one player sent off for each side, Argentina scored a brilliant header from Alejo Velis in the 17th minute and a left-footed strike from Luca Romero in the 20th minute, before Maximo Peron sealed the win in stoppage time.
New Zealand and Uzbekistan played to a 2-2 draw in the same group. This leaves New Zealand (W1 D1 L4) in second place behind Argentina, Uzbekistan (W1 D1 L1) in third, and Guatemala (W2 L0) in last place.
In Group B, the United States defeated Fiji 3-0 to win its second straight game and lead the group (6 points) and improve its chances of advancing to the round of 16. After falling 0-1 to the United States in their first match, Ecuador bounced back with a 2-1 win over Slovakia. Ecuador and Slovakia are tied at 1-1-1 (3 points), but the Slovaks are in second place on goal differential.
