Morocco performed a near-perfect sport to beat Argentina 2-0 within the closing of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. The end result, after all, was a disappointment for Argentina, who’ve gained this trophy extra occasions than anybody else, however not since 2007. And it was a disappointment for South America, each due to dwelling benefit — the match happened in Chile — and since this age stage is seen on the continent as an essential conveyor belt in the direction of the senior aspect.
However, there’s a silver lining. With the performances of Argentina and Colombia, South America completed second and third respectively. And there’s a wider level: Perhaps the U20 World Cup is not match for function. Changes within the sport — higher pitches and extra safety for expertise — have made it simpler for teenage gamers to shine with even the largest golf equipment, and people children don’t characteristic within the match as a result of golf equipment aren’t obliged to launch them.
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This World Cup, then, has grow to be a comparatively random assortment of gamers, these whose providers the federations have been capable of safe, and high quality suffers as a consequence. The Uruguay aspect that gained the 2023 title are a living proof. Not one in all that staff has but kicked on to play a major half in Marcelo Bielsa’s senior aspect.
For all these reservations, the U20 World Cup stays an enchanting watch and unquestioningly offers a platform and provides useful expertise to a contemporary era of expertise. This is a have a look at the South Americans who caught the attention in Chile over the previous few weeks. The large query, although: Is there anybody right here who is perhaps fast-tracked into subsequent yr’s senior World Cup squad? And who would appear to have the brightest future?
Argentina’s captain was the Bournemouth left again, who has already featured within the senior squad for World Cup qualification. He was known as up for the final two rounds of the marketing campaign, and able the place Argentina doesn’t have nice power in depth, he will need to have some likelihood of constructing the staff on the senior stage subsequent yr.
The U20 World Cup, nevertheless, didn’t make an particularly highly effective case for promotion. Plenty will in all probability depend upon whether or not he can get an everyday sport over the following few months within the Premier League. Soler is undoubtedly neat, however appears sound and regular somewhat than inspirational.
An reply to Argentina’s prayers can be a top-class younger middle again, which is the realm of Lionel Scaloni’s lineup that they haven’t been capable of refresh because the Qatar World Cup, and the unhealthy information from Chile was that there wouldn’t look like any options on this U20 aspect.
Argentina misplaced the title as a result of the defensive unit was ambushed within the first half by Morocco’s capability to interrupt at tempo.
The attacking midfielder was an enormous success. A youth prodigy and the product of a busy conveyor belt at Velez Sarsfield, he was a star on the Under-17 stage, on the again of which he earned a transfer to Benfica.
However, his transfer to Portugal has not but lived as much as expectations — therefore his launch for this match — and he has but to seem within the first staff. Prestianni arrived in Chile as a reserve, however took benefit of accidents to grow to be the staff’s main artistic drive.
He didn’t get on the scoresheet, however with each passing sport, he turned extra essential to the staff, due to his fast ft, a watch for a go, and the power to vary rhythm when operating with the ball, which is the hallmark of footballing velocity.
Argentina will hope that this match will be capable to assist him regain momentum.
Chosen because the third-best participant of the match was the holding midfielder from Boca Juniors. Despite being 5-foot-5, he has a giant character and loads of expertise. Delgado wins possession, takes duty, hyperlinks the play and may present some high quality service to the strikers.
When Fernando Gago was Boca coach, Delgado was getting loads of sport time and he used it effectively. A change of command and the arrival of Leandro Paredes have since restricted his alternatives, however now that he has proven his worth on the worldwide stage, he ought to quickly be again in first-team rivalry.
Does he have an opportunity of constructing the 2026 World Cup squad? Probably not, though getting again within the Boca beginning lineup would definitely give him a platform.
Colombia misplaced to Argentina within the semifinal after which beat France to complete in third place. Their star was the middle ahead Villarreal. Impressive at the beginning of the yr within the qualifying match, he all of the sudden got here to life within the knockout phases in Chile, scoring twice in opposition to South Africa after which getting all three in an exciting 3-2 win over Spain.
He kinds himself “Ney” in a tribute to Neymar, however he’s a really completely different sort of participant: a straight guardsman, few frills, a robust and fast finisher off both foot. With Millonarios in Colombia, he appears on the verge of becoming a member of Cruzeiro in Brazil, though he’s attracting curiosity from Europe.
But will he show the newest Colombian to flatter to deceive? The query is pertinent. Villarreal needed to sit out the semifinal after choosing up a unnecessary yellow card within the Spain match.
Colombia’s assets at middle ahead lack depth, particularly since Jhon Durán misplaced his approach, and so it’s not unthinkable that Villarreal might be a part of a 26-strong squad subsequent yr. However, he would wish to win the boldness of coach Nestor Lorenzo via some constant shows on the membership stage, no matter which membership he finds himself at.
Paraguay senior coach Gustavo Alfaro has a repute for throwing younger gamers in on the deep finish. He saved an in depth eye on the U20 staff and couldn’t fail to have been impressed by Quintana, the captain of the staff.
The middle again has been across the first staff at Cerro Porteño — one of many nation’s largest golf equipment — for greater than two years, and his progress over the previous few months has been spectacular. He thrived below the teaching of former worldwide middle again Antolin Alcaraz, and seemed like a extra full participant than the one he performed within the qualifying match at the beginning of the yr.
In Chile, Quintana mixed an unhurried air of sophistication with the normal resilience of a Paraguayan defender. He clearly has an fascinating future and, if he can provide you with some sturdy shows at membership stage and if Alfaro is characteristically seeking to give youth an opportunity, he might even have an outdoor chance of creeping into the World Cup squad.
