It was the match of pride and respect that Mr. Cangiano’s boys deserved by facing the reigning champions of Paraguay head on and coming out defeated 6-3 but with great, great honor and tomorrow at 2.00 pm they will have the possibility of defending second place in the group against Australia who today drew 5-5 with the Principality of Monaco
The Italian team will be able to count on two useful results and will be able to settle for a draw to close the group and face Uruguay (second in group A) in the quarter-finals.
The World Cup referees: from left Piombino and Lo Tartaro (Italy) and Ferrari (Switzerland)
Ready to go and Paraguay takes control of the game with fast patterns and through passes to the Acosta pivot.
However, the Azzurri withstood the offensive attack with an attentive and determined defence.
In the 4th minute, however, the South Americans took the lead with a quick triangulation that put Saucedo in a position to beat the goalkeeper Ferraro with a precise diagonal.
Everyone expects the South Americans to be able to spread like against Australia and instead the Azzurri remain calm and concentrated and at the first opportunity Furbinelli flies to the right and launches a sharp and precise diagonal with the ball hitting the inside post, carom on the goalkeeper and ends up online.
Unfortunately, the Italian joy only lasts a minute because in the 16th minute the red and whites regain the lead with a central move that frees Arzamendia only in front of the goalkeeper.
The emotions, however, are not over and Italy finds the equalizer again with a whip from Bozzolan from inside the penalty area.
There are four minutes to go until the end of the first half but Paraguay doesn’t let go and before the siren scores two more spectacular goals with the pivot Acosta (a volley that slides under the crossbar and diagonally from the corner of the penalty area).
The second half opens with Paraguay ahead 4-2 and with Italy more determined than ever to reopen the contest. However, four minutes passed and the South Americans took the lead 5-2 with a hat-trick from Acosta who was quick to deposit a teammate’s through ball into the net with an empty net.
Game over? Absolutely not because in the 15th minute Mattia Roberto slipped and surprised goalkeeper Saucedo. It is the best moment of the blue team which presses high and forces the Paraguay players to make hasty plays.
Matteo Saracco hits a sensational post with the goalkeeper beaten, but Benitez restores the distance in the tenth minute by taking advantage of the Italians’ defensive indecision.
Fatigue is starting to make itself felt but Italy doesn’t give an inch and keeps their concentration high until the siren.
It ends with a deserved 6-3 in favor of Paraguay who qualify for the quarter-finals as first in the group, but Michael Cangiano’s young Italy proves to be worthy of these stages and to still be able to play a leading role in these World Cups .
by Fulvio Saracco
I like:
I like Loading…
Related
1. How do you think the World Cup referees performed in the Italy vs. Paraguay game?
2. What were some of the main factors that contributed to Paraguay’s victory over Italy in this match?
3. Can you discuss Italy’s strategy and approach during the game, particularly in the second half?
4. How did Italy manage to stay competitive despite being down by multiple goals?
5. What were some of the key moments or plays that stood out to you during the game?
6. In your opinion, which players from Italy and Paraguay impressed you the most during this match?
7. What lessons do you think this young Italian team can learn from this defeat and how might it impact their future matches?
8. As a coach or manager, how would you analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team based on this game?
9. How do you see the development of under-20 football tournaments like this World Cup benefiting young footballers and national teams in the future?
10. Can you share any other interesting insights or thoughts about this match or the under-20 World Cup as a whole?
