U-20 World Cup: Brazil knocked out by stubborn Israel
A stubborn Israel U-20 team fought back from losing positions on two occasions to win 3-2 and knock Brazil out of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Brazil were favourites heading into the game but were resisted by a compact Israel U-20 team in the quater-final match at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in Argentina on June June 3.
Against the odds, Israel sized their more illustrious opponents for a fair share of possession in 120 minutes of football.
Inside the opening ten minutes, Brazil created three goal-scoring chances. Douglas Mendes came close twice with two headers while Marcos Leonardo saw his 6th minute shot saved.
Stav Lemkin and Dor Turgeman came them has shots on goal from the Israel U-20 team either side of a saved left footed shot by Brazil’s Marquinhos.
With both sides unable to find the breakthrough, first half ended 0-0 at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Brazil found the breakthrough. Watford FC attacking midfielder Mateus Martins provided assist for Marcos Leonardo to fire home from inside the area.
That lead will be shortlived as Israel delivered a perfect response four minutes later.
Anan Khalaili scored for a second straight game to level the tie in the 60th minute from a cross by El Yam Kancepolsky.
The quater-finalists could not be separated at the end of regulation time and so extra-time was required.
In the opening minute of extra-time, Brazil went ahead through Matheus Nascimento who shot home from an assist by Andreiy Santos.
Again, Israel pushed forward and restored parity in the 93rd minute for 2-2 courtesy of a Hamza Shibli right footed shot.
In the 105th minute, Israel bagged the winner courtesy of Dor Turgeman who fired into the roof of the net. Ilay Madmon and Ahmad Ibrahim then lost spot-kicks for Israel for a chance to extend the lead in the 115th minute.
At the end of the second half of extra-time, it finished Israel 3-2 Brazil. A result that leaves the South American giants stunned and out of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
