World Cup U20

Is anyone following the U20 WC?

Italy-France starts in 1 hour.

Germany did poorly in the groups and the got eliminated by Zambia 4-3. @Hapless_Hans pls respond.

Mexico-England coming in the QF as well as Portugal-Uruguay.

The highlight of the tournament so far are Rincon's kids

While the country is going to hell, the kids are giving Venezuela the biggest WC performance on any age level.

Venezuela
Groups
2-0 Germany
7-0 Vanuatu
1-0 Mexico
R16
1-0 Japan

England have already exceeded expectations by winning a game in this tournament for the first time in 20 years

Amazing what happens when you actually send a decent squad.

There are some GOAT names in this generation. Need to get these players to become legit asap so that we can see this lineup

Its like the regens ran out of creativity.

Pelle
Pellegri
Pellegrini
Roma
Romagna
Romagnoli
Panico
Mandragora
A. Ferrari
G. Ferrari

The world needs a Ferrari-Ferrari CB partnership to come through.

rincon wrote:
The world needs a Ferrari-Ferrari CB partnership to come through.

i hope they are fast CBs at least
The last player to be named Ferrari was ironically slow as f

my local club used Nesta-Ferrari together for one season, it was the slowest partnership in the history of football

The semi-finals:

Uruguay vs Venezuela
Italy vs England

England have reached the semis for just the third time, and for the first time since 1993. It's been a seriously good tournament from them.

Italy got through an impressive Zambia team.

Venezuela and Uruguay have probably been the best teams in the tournament, for different reasons. Venezuela have been great, Uruguay are really well-organised.

Italy with 10 men beat Zambia, after another Latin American referee, like Moreno in South Korea, tries his best to eliminate Italy. This is the one weakness of the VAR that some, including I, observed. The VAR can't be used for the second yellow. This referee knwe the rule and gave the Italian player a second yellow before the VAR ruling that there was no foul was issued. That referee must be banned.

That happened to Josh Onomah as well. He got a second yellow for a completely accidental stamp. VAR couldn't be used to overturn it, so Onomah will miss the semi.

VAR isn't looking too great in the tournament.

Its been a great tournament to watch for me. First time Italy reaches the semis, first time Venezuela reaches any stage, 5 Juve players on show including Uruguay's Bentancur and Italy's Orsolini who is killing it with 4 goals so far. Only England has no players that I'm following.

Hoping that Venezuela can get through Uruguay, it will be tough.

England's squad isn't that remarkable talent wise, but Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) and Ademola Lookman (Everton) have been very impressive. Maitland-Niles from Arsenal has looked good as well when he's played.

Heard Yangel Herrera is a top talent for Venezuela. Along with Penaranda (who I liked when he was at Granada).

Yes, Yangel is thought of highly in Venezuela (although that doesn't say much ). He was signed by City and directly sent to NYC in the MLS. Penaranda is the best one imo. He had a bad season but he is talented and already has played in Spain and Italy so he has an advantage against a lot of these U20 players.

Italy has a few players to look out for, even if they didn't bring some of the ones that are already in the senior NT.

Riccardo Orsolini (RW) plays at Ascoli and was signed by Juve in january and loaned back. 4 goals so far in the tournament. Rolando Mandragora (DM) is at Juve, he got injured badly so he basically missed the whole season, but he is one of Italy's biggest talents. Its why he starts in the NT even though he basically had no club football this year.

The others I follow less, DiMarco (FB) from Inter loeaned to Empoli is a good one. Panico I like because of the name but Im not sure how good he is.

Golazo for Venezuela in stoppage time to equalise against Uruguay

You are watching? these U20 games have been fantastic!

It would have been such a shame to get eliminated because of that bullshit penalty. VAR has been a failure this tournament.

I'm watching while working. England play at 12 as well.

It's clear that VAR isn't going to do much if the refs are incompetent in the first place. It might catch some things they missed but it won't cover up for their wrong interpretations.

Same, I have 1 screen with the game at work.

I'll put Italy-England on later, but I might have to miss part of it.

*bleep* hit the post at 119', so close. Penalties now.

Not sure I'm a fan of this new ABBA format for pens

It puts way too much pressure on the keeper.

The Venezuela keeper makes amends for a poor save earlier.

Congrats Venezuela on reaching the final.

From never qualifying to any level world cup, to qualifying for the first one (U17) a few years ago, and now some of the same kids make it to the final of U20.

Orsolini!!!

5th goal

Orsolini puts Italy ahead after two mins

Really poor from Tomori and Walker-Peters. Both switched off and lost their man.

Great by Favili to open up space with his movement and assist there

This game and Venezuela-Uruguay really show the contrast in the style of south american and european football even from kids.

This is a very English performance. All the effort you could want, but not enough patience and skill.

Italy are very dangerous on the break. They're pretty comfortable at the moment.

England pushing very hard and very well. They will either get tired or score soon. Italy needs to fight back.

Solanke 1-1

Ojo has been an inspired sub.