USA and Morocco Advance to Quarter-Finals of FIFA U-20 World Cup
In a thrilling day of action at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the United States and Morocco secured their spots in the quarter-finals, showcasing impressive performances that left their opponents reeling. The Americans cruised past Italy with a commanding 3-0 victory, while Morocco edged out Korea Republic with a 2-1 win.
USA Dominates Italy
The U.S. team, led by captain Benjamin Cremaschi, delivered a stunning performance against Italy, marking their fifth consecutive advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Cremaschi, who plays in Serie A for Parma, scored two goals, putting him in the spotlight as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
Italy started strong, nearly taking the lead early on when Mattia Mosconi hit the post in the eighth minute. However, it was the Americans who struck first. Following a corner from Niko Tsakiris, Cremaschi capitalized on a loose ball, netting the opener.
Tsakiris himself showcased his prowess shortly thereafter, attempting a long-range shot that was brilliantly saved by Italian goalkeeper Jacopo Seghetti. But Tsakiris found his mark minutes later, curling in a stunning free kick from 25 yards out to double the lead. Cremaschi sealed the match in injury time with a clever chip over Seghetti, securing the win.
Cremaschi reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “It’s amazing. Today it was another huge team effort. We always felt in control, and I’m super happy with my goals, but most importantly, we’re moving on.”
Morocco’s Impressive Victory
In the other match, Morocco faced Korea Republic and emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. The Atlas Cubs opened the scoring in the eighth minute when a bicycle kick attempt from Yassir Zabiri was deflected into the net by Korea’s Shin Minha, giving Morocco an early lead.
As the match progressed, Morocco’s dominance became evident. Othmane Maamma delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing Zabiri to head home Morocco’s second goal in the 58th minute. Although Korea Republic managed to pull one back with a late penalty from Kim Taewon in the sixth minute of stoppage time, it was too little too late.
Morocco’s forward, Maamma, expressed optimism for the next round: “It was a tough match. I’m happy that we could bounce back from our loss against Mexico. We’ll keep training hard and focus on what we did well today.”
Looking Ahead
With these victories, the U.S. will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals, setting the stage for an exciting clash between two teams eager to advance further in the tournament. As both teams prepare for this high-stakes match, fans can expect a thrilling encounter that showcases the best of youth football.
The quarter-final match between the USA and Morocco is set to take place in Rancagua on October 12, promising to deliver another round of spectacular football as the tournament progresses.
