San Juan Argentina.- The United States picked up their second victory in as many games at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 Men’s World Cup in Argentina in a 3-0 final versus Fiji on Tuesday in Group B at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan.
Diego Luna led the way with a goal and an assist to put the U.S. on the verge of a knockout round berth.
The U.S. were left frustrated by a tough Fiji defense in the first half, as the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship winners were unable to find that final touch in front of goal.
It stayed that way after the restart and until the midway point of the second stanza in the 66’ when Luna pounced on a loose ball and fired a right-footed rocket into goal to hand the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
With the one-goal advantage, the U.S. could play to their liking and they tacked on an insurance goal in the 88’ through Cade Cowell, who collected a pass from Luna and fired in a right-footed shot.
The U.S. got one more goal before the final whistle, with Caleb Wiley turning in a shot after Brandan Craig’s free kick deflected off the post in the 90+9’ to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
Guatemala were also back in action in Group A, but fell 3-0 to host nation Argentina at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.
Alejo Veliz opened the scoring for Argentina with a header off a cross from the right flank in the 17’ for a 1-0 lead. Guatemala looked to respond with its transition game and had a chance through Carlos Santos in the 22’, but the home side avoided any trouble.
Guatemala hung tough to stay within a goal going into the second half, but a second yellow card and sending off for Santos complicated matters for the Chapines. Argentina took advantage and a hard left-footed strike from Luka Romero extended the home side’s lead to 2-0 in the 65’.
A second yellow card for Argentina’s Tomas Aviles in the 82’ gave Guatemala a reprieve and made it a 10 vs. 10 affair the rest of the way, but the Chapines were unable to pull a goal back and saw Argentina add a late third goal in stoppage time from Maximo Perrone to round out the 3-0 scoreline.
The Dominican Republic will continue their campaign in Group D on Wednesday with a date against five-time U20 World Cup champions Brazil at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
The Caribbean island came up just shy in their opener, falling 2-1 to Nigeria, but it was still a history-making day for the Dominican Republic, as Edison Azcona scored the first ever goal for his country at any World Cup age level.
It should be a great test for the 2022 CMU20 runners-up, as Brazil are seeking a bounce back as well after losing 3-2 to Italy to start the tournament.
Estados Unidos goleó a Fiyi 3-0 y es líder del Grupo B con puntaje ideal. 👊🇺🇸#U20WC
— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) May 23, 2023
