U-20 WC: New Zealand, USA, Argentina and Slovakia off to winning start

The 2023 FIFA U-20 FIFA World Cup got underway on Saturday May 20. New Zealand, USA, Argentina and Slovakia all got off to winning starts.

New Zealand vs Guatemala and USA vs Ecuador offered first glimpse of the tournament in South America. A drab 8o+ minute in both games finally bowed for a goals in the final ten minutes.

For the first goal of the tournament, Norman Garbett shot past the Guatemala goal in the 80th minute to open the goal-sheet in Argentina. A match-winner it was as it finished New Zealand 1-0 Guatemala,

USA and Ecuador were the other game taking place by 8pm. Jonathan Gomez received  a pass from striker Owen Wolff before firing from just outside the box past goalkeeper Gilmar Napa and into the upper-right corner of the net.

A 1-0 win over Ecuador to start the world Cup for USA.

By 11pm, two matches followed to crown a busy opening day. tournament hosts Argentina filed out against Uzbekistan.

A well packed Estadio Unico Madre de Cuidas was stunned when Uzbekistan scored the opening goal in the 23rd minute.

Makhmudjon Makhamadjonov of Uzbekistan fired in a left footed shot from a difficult angle to grace the bottom left corner of the Argentine net.

Argentina piled pressure and found the equalizer four minutes later.

Argentina U-20 youngster Agustin Giay delivered a cross which was met by the head of teammate Alejo Véliz to hit the net for 1-1. Game On.

In the 41st minute, the comeback was complete for Argentina.

Valentín Carboni fired a left footed shot from the left side of the box into the top left corner for 2-1. A lead at the break and eventually the Group match 2 full-time result.

The other game on day one saw Slovakia spank Fiji 4-0 at the San Juan del Bicentenario. Adam Gazi (17′), Máté Szolgai (25′), Artur Gajdos (70′), Timotej Jambo (79) with the goals to seal a big win for the Slovak U-20 team.

As it stands, Argentina and New Zealand lead the way in Group A while Slovakia and USA occupy first and second spot in Group B.

Four matches will take place on Day two (Sunday May 21). Nigeria are up against Dominican Republic by 7pm, same time Isreal and Colombia will trade tackles.

By 10pm, Italy and Brazil will do battle at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas same time as Senegal Vs Japan billed for the Estadio Cuidad de la Plata.