…Korea Republic stun Nigeria to reach semifinals
URUGUAY beat USA 2-0 to book an Argentina 2023 semifinal against Israel, with Juan de los Santos setting up both goals.
The invention of Juan de los Santos proved key as Uruguay overcame USA in their Fifa U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ quarterfinal. La Celeste will now meet Israel in the semifinals today.
De los Santos did superbly to nick the ball past Justin Che and cut the ball across goal for Anderson Duarte to tap it home. After the restart, the fleet-footed No 11 produced another low cross, which Joshua Wynder inadvertently turned into his own net.
Cade Cowell tried his best to get back USA back into the game, but one of his goal-bound attempts smashed off his own teammate Rokas Pukstas and went to safety.
Uruguay became the first team to keep a clean sheet against USA in 15 Fifa U-20 World Cup matches.
Meanwhile, Choi Seokhyun’s extra-time header earned Korea Republic a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a tense Fifa U-20 World Cup™ quarterfinal.
The Taegeuk Warriors will now face Italy today for a place in the final.
The Flying Eagles had the better of the play during the first 90 minutes, but struggled to create any meaningful opportunities against a resilient defence.
Victor Ehuwa Eletu had the best of them following a jinking dribble, but his shot was tipped round the post by Kim Joonhong.
To extra-time it went, with Korea Republic making the breakthrough via a corner. Lee Seungwon delivered one of his low, quick crosses, and Choi cleverly headed it backwards, up and over goalkeeper Kingsley Aniagboso and into the net.
Korea Republic will now strive to reach the final in back-to-back editions of this competition.
Nigeria had gone 545 minutes – over nine hours – without conceding against an Asian side in the competition until Choi’s goal. – FIFA.
