Italy defeated Colombia 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 in San Juan, Argentina, on Thursday. Italy advances to the quarterfinals. Italy has reached the quarterfinals of three consecutive U-20 World Cups, starting with the 2017 tournament in South Korea, followed by the 2019 tournament in Poland. This is the first time in their national soccer history that they have reached three consecutive quarterfinals.
The team will face Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Friday at 2:30 a.m. A victory would set up a quarterfinal clash with Italy. Kim’s U-20s went through the group stage unbeaten for the first time in their history, before rallying for a 3-2 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 16 with a flurry of goals. Kim’s side defeated France 2-1 and drew with Honduras (2-2) and Gambia (0-0) in the group stage. South Korea, who finished runners-up at the 2019 tournament in Poland, advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in their history thanks to Kim’s performance. Nigeria is a formidable opponent, having defeated ‘hosts’ Argentina 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Nigeria had previously defeated Italy 2-0 in the group stage.
The Italians took the lead in the ninth minute when Cassaday scored his first goal of the tournament. It was Cassaday’s sixth goal of the tournament, making him the top scorer. The Inter Milan youth product moved to Chelsea in the English 스포츠토토 Premier League last August. In January, he was loaned to Reading of the Championship. With the momentum in their favor, Italy sealed the win when Baldanchi added a 38th-minute goal. Esposito added a goal a minute into the second half to seal the victory. Colombia had to settle for a late goal from Torres in the fourth minute to avoid defeat. Italy will be looking for their first ever title. Their best result so far is third place.
In another quarterfinal, there was an upset. Israel won 3-2 in extra time against Brazil in the quarterfinals at the San Juan Stadium. This was Israel’s first appearance at the tournament and their first quarterfinal appearance. Coming off a runner-up finish at last year’s U-19 European Championship, the Israelis have made a splash at the tournament and have stolen the spotlight. Coincidentally, the previous hosts, Indonesia, were stripped of their rights to host the tournament in Argentina because they objected to Israel’s participation.
After a 0-0 first half in which the Israelis held off a strong Brazilian attack, they conceded the opening goal in the 11th minute of the second half. Martins’ exquisite pass to Leonardo shook the Israeli goal with a powerful finish. Israel fought back. In the 15th minute of the second half, Carlisle tied the game with a stunning header. The game was headed for overtime.
Brazil took the lead again. In the first minute of overtime, Brazil put together a great passing play, which Nascimento neatly finished. Israel quickly equalized again. Sibley headed in a cross. Spurred on by the momentum, Israel scored the game’s final goal in the first minute of extra time when Tuzerman beat two Brazilian defenders. Israel missed a penalty kick late in extra time, but held on for the win.
The Israelis, who finished second in Group C, scored the winning goals in stoppage time against Japan in the third round and against Uzbekistan in the Round of 16. Against Brazil, they made it 3-2 in first-half stoppage time, the latest in a string of “theater goals. Brazil boosted their chances of a sixth title with a 4-1 victory over Tunisia in the Round of 16, but were stymied by an Israeli surge.
The Israelis, making their first appearance in the U-20 World Cup, will play the winner of the USA-Uruguay match at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 for a spot in the final.