Argentina kick off U20 World Cup with valuable win over Cuba | OneFootball

Just as happened in the South American Championship, the Argentine national team showed a very offensive side at the start of the match. In the first action of the game, Santino Andino and Maher Carrizo combined well and the Vélez striker sent in a low cross for Alejo Sarco, who only had to finish next to the goal after a rebound from the goalkeeper. With great forcefulness, Diego Placente’s team started the youth tournament in extraordinary fashion.

The joy, however, was short-lived for the national team: Santiago Fernández ended up being sent off for a foul on the edge of the box against Alessio Raballo, after referee Muhammad Nazmi bin Nasaruddin reviewed the play on VAR. The action prompted an immediate protest from the Argentine bench, arguing it was a 50-50 challenge, and demanded the referee use the new FVS system. In fact, the Cuban player had thrown an elbow just before the alleged foul.

Shaken by the red card, the youngsters struggled with the speed and physicality of the Central Americans: Santino Barbi saved his goal after an interesting shot from Romario Torres. Facing difficulties, Teo Rodríguez came on to reorganize the defense and the move paid off. In the very next play, Placente again requested video review for a clear penalty by goalkeeper Yurdy Hodelin on Sarco. The referee, however, ignored it and the South Americans lost their green cards. By that point, the referee’s performance was abysmal.

As time went on, Argentina regained its composure and showed flashes of good football, despite the obvious limitations of being a man down. Before the end of the first half, they patiently built up an extraordinary play that ended in a goal: Carrizo waited for Dylan Gorosito on the right wing and the Boca fullback delivered a perfect cross to Sarco’s head, who sealed his brace.

When it seemed like both teams would head to the locker rooms with the score as it was, the National Team failed to mark properly on a corner kick and, after Torres brought the ball down with his leg, Karel Pérez pulled one back in the same fashion. Although the players protested for a supposed handball, the truth is the ball hit the defender’s thigh.

At the start of the second half, the team opted for intelligent possession, forcing the Caribbean side to run from side to side and wear themselves out. Without being too deep, they strung passes together in midfield and were clearly superior, showing flashes of the team that shone in qualifying. At the beginning of the second half, the absence of a player was not noticeable at all.

At times, the National Team suffered from physical exhaustion and their legs stopped responding, more so in attack than in defense. As the minutes ticked by, Placente’s team had to withstand the attacks of a Cuba full of energy but with few ideas. The few ideas from their opponent, up to the 75th minute, were enough for the national team to hold on to the win.

Near the end of the match, Ian Subiabre, the River youngster who until the last minute was unsure if he would play in the World Cup since he hadn’t renewed his contract with the Millonario, appeared to make it 3-1 and seal the final score.

Now, Diego Placente’s team will play their second group stage match against Australia, starting at 8 p.m.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.