The U.S. has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup after shocking tournament-favorite France 3-2 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Tuesday. Trailing 2-1 with just over 15 minutes remaining, the USMNT U-20s came storming back with late goals from Sebastian Soto and Justin Rennicks.
An open match that quickly deteriorated into what seemed like one frightening counterattack followed by another saw the Americans — runners-up from Group D — open the scoring in the 25th minute after PSV’s Richard Ledezma, just 18 years of age, fed Hannover’s Soto.
#U20TD ¡ @sebastian9soto recibe un pase filtrado de @richydezma y pone en ventaja a @USYNT! pic.twitter.com/UoIL8dd28G
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 4, 2019
But every French attack looked threatening, a quality that they’d demonstrated while finishing top of Group E with three victories from three games and seven goals scored.
France duly equalized in the 41st minute through Lyon striker Amine Gouiri. The assist was provided by electric PSG winger Moussa Diaby.
#U20TD ¡ @aminegouiri marca su tercer gol del torneo y empata el marcador para @equipedefrance ! pic.twitter.com/s7njXzLU93
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 4, 2019
Monaco’s Nabil Alioui put France up 2-1 10 minutes after the break, and word across social media was that this U.S. side was overhyped and about to get worked over.
#U20TD ¡ @AliouiNabiil le da la vuelta al marcador y @usynt sufre! pic.twitter.com/8sU1CIMNx6
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 4, 2019
Not so fast. This is America.
The U.S. grabbed an equalizer in the 74th minute with Timothy Weah working the assist. Soto again provided the cool finish, his fourth of the tournament.
#U20TD ¡ @Sebastian9Soto recibe un pase de Weah y con su doblete empata el marcador @USYTN! pic.twitter.com/Y9prEJOWd7
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 4, 2019
Then, after a succession of shots from distance, America took the lead in the 83rd after Rennicks, who’s on the books at New England, crashed home a rebound.
#U20TD ¡ @JustinRennicks aprovecha un rechace del arquero Lafont y @USYNT le da la vuelta al marcador! pic.twitter.com/m56gKqDMhW
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 4, 2019
The U.S. will now play Ecuador on Saturday, June 8, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
The18 Recommends For You
