Friday's FIFA Under-20 World Cup fixtures saw both groups (Group A and B) completed their first rounds with two high-profile national teams clinging” to hope for knockout (Round of Sixteen) play. Germany U-20 found themselves in the same boat and almost slipped their game against a struggling Vanuatu team with a late-push from the bottom dwellers of Group B.
In the other Group B game, Argentina netted in bunch of goals in their blowout triumph over Guinea, but it may not be enough after failing to earn a victory in their opening two-games of the group-stage.
Hosts South Korea and England played out the most-exciting game of the day, even though the encounter ended up 1-0 in favor of England.
Mexico 0, Venezuela 1
Top goalscorer Sergio Cordova, got his name on the score-sheet once again, with a brilliant finish in the thirty-third minute, holding-off Mexico defense and rounding up the goalkeeper. It was Sergio Cordova 4th goal of the competition, and Venezuela tenth-goal. The young El Tri of Mexico apparently failed to convert many open chances in the encounter, and ultimately cost them against a solid Venezuela team. It was their second consecutive match the junior El Tri went barren.
All three of their goals scored so far in this tournament came during their opening win over Vanautu. Despite the defeat, the young El Tri of Mexico finishes 2nd in the group (Group B) and qualifies for the knockout stage.
Germany 3, Vanuatu 2
The young Germans got-off to a quick start, notching two times in the first-half in what appeared like an easy walkover against the bottom dwellers in Group B. It was Malcolm Badu that scored the opening goal in the twenty-seventh minute with a brilliant left footed finish inside the box. Six minutes later, the young Germans doubled the lead off a quick throw in that found midfielder Suat Serdar on a “two to beat one” move with Fabian Reese. His lofty cross to Fabian Reese was placed into an empty post.
Ten minutes into the second-half, Emmanuel Iyoha extended the scoreline to 3-0.
Afterwards, Vanuatu stunningly found their way-back into the encounter after two stumbles from Germany goalie Svend Brodersen. His clumsy attempt to clear out the ball off the post was obstructed and Vanuatu forward Bong Kalo was played inside the box. Svend Brodersen “spilled” the ball while trying to clean-up the mess, but Bong Kalo quickly followed-up the play to tap home their opener. Later in the seventy-seventh minute, Vanuatu “pulled closer” with a well-taken free-kick, but could not found the equalizer before the stoppage time.
England 1, South Korea 0
England earned their second clean-sheet in Group A against a resilient South Korean side that looked destined to find the back of the net in the opening half.
Attacking midfielder Ha Seungun shot beat Three Lions goalie Freddie Woodman at close range but struck the crossbar. Freddie Woodman made many vital saves in the opening half to 'preserve the shut out. The young Three Lions finally broke the deadlock early in the second-half. Everton FC youth academy product and forward Kieran Dowell finished with ease off fast give-and-go touches with midfielder Jonjoe Kenny.
Kieran Dowell “back heel” pass found Jonjoe Kenny down the right side inside the box and the forward clinically finished Kenny return ball past Korean goalkeeper Song Burnkeun to put England ahead. In their effort to convincingly secure their lead, the Three Lions continued to pile on pressures in the second-half, but couldn't double the scoreline.
South Korea almost found the equalizer in the last minutes of the game, but midfielder Lee Sangmin attempt was cleared off the crossbar. With this victory, England now sits in the summit of Group A, while South Korea lie in the second spot. Both teams are through to the Round of Sixteen.
Guinea 0, Argentina 5
Needed a massive victory to have any chances of progressing, the young Albicelestes delivered. Argentina got the opener in the thirty-third minute through a lofty cross that apparently caused “chaos” in the Guinea defense. Forward Marcelo Torres “pounced” on the loose ball and brilliantly placed home the lead. Later in the fourth third minute, Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with a fine curling shot from long distance.
Lautaro Martinez scored a pair of goal in the encounter after returning from one match suspension.
The Albicelestes displayed their “aerial balls” dominance over Guinea backline with headers from Marcos Senesi and Matias Zaracho to tally up the scoreline. With this blowout win, Argentina now has to wait for the final game of the group-stage to see if their victory over Guinea was satisfactory enough to put them through the next round.