Gomez’s late ‘golazo’ gives U.S. big victory against Ecuador | OneFootball

MIAMI, Florida – The United States kicked off their 2023 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup campaign on Saturday with a dramatic 1-0 victory against Ecuador to open Group B.

The 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship winners got a second half stoppage time goal from Jonathan Gomez to capture the three points at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan, Argentina.

Diego Luna looked set to break the deadlock between the two sides in the 59’ when a deflection off an Ecuadorian defender gave him a free look at goal, but his right-footed shot sliced just wide.

As time ticked away, it looked as if the two sides would have to settle for the draw, but Gomez would summon a moment of magic by chesting down a pass from Owen Wolff and firing a left-footed shot that went blazing into the top right corner of net to earn the U.S. the 1-0 triumph.

Also in action on the day was Guatemala, who began things in Group A with a narrow 1-0 defeat to New Zealand at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.

Guatemala had the majority of the scoring chances throughout much of the much, beginning with a Carlos Santos header in the 11’ that was saved, followed by Figo Montano’s left-footed shot that sailed wide in the 41’ and an Arquimides Ordonez effort in the 56’ that trickled wide.

However, New Zealand would grab the lone goal of the day in the 80’ through Norman Garbett to spoil the day for the Chapines.

Sunday will be a historical day for Concacaf as it marks the first ever World Cup match at any age level for the Dominican Republic, who take on Nigeria in Group D at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

The Caribbean side will turn to the likes of attacking players Edison Azcona of Inter Miami and Angel Montes de Oca of Cibao FC in hopes of making their U20 World Cup debut a memorable one.