MIAMI, Florida – The United States completed a perfect group stage performance in Group B of the 2023 FIFA Under-20 Men’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Slovakia on Friday at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan.
Not only did the U.S. win all three matches, but they finished the group not conceding a single goal, as they punched their ticket to the Round of 16.
The U.S. were on the front foot from the very beginning, and after two golden opportunities to score earlier in the half, Cade Cowell broke the deadlock in the 38’ with a slaloming run past four defenders to make it a 1-0 U.S. lead.
There was no slowing down from the U.S., as they sought a second goal for insurance. Diego Luna came achingly close midway through the half with a shot off the post, but it took until the sixth minute of second half stoppage time for the second score to come, as Niko Tsakiris polished off the victory with a tidy finish for the 2-0 final scoreline.
Group B: Locked in 🔒#U20WC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 26, 2023
Guatemala’s U20 World Cup came to a close with a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan to round out Group A at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago de Estero on Friday.
A pair of first half goals from Uzbekistan’s Shakhzodjon Nematjonov in the ninth and 20th minutes served as the lone goals.
Guatemala tried to get back into the match in the second half, but were unable to breach the Uzbekistan defense, bringing an end to the Chapines’ campaign in Argentina.
The Dominican Republic will close out their campaign in Group D with a date with Italy at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.
The Caribbean island were defeated in their first two matches, but a convincing win against the Italians might give the Dominican Republic a chance to slot into the four best third-place finishers.
