The U20 World Cup in Poland has begun and the title favorites started as expected with three points in the group stage. While France’s hottest contender Panama, Mali and Saudi Arabia grabbed a small group, fellow finals Portugal and Argentina entered Group F on Tuesday night. Argentina started their impressive 5-2 win over South Africa for Portugal it’s a close but convincing 1-0 victory against South Korea. In the clash between Portugal and Argentina, according to odds no clear favorite is to be determined.
An offensive fireworks can not be ruled out in the high-profile offensive players of both teams. Argentina a tip on over 2.5 goals should be kept in mind. The strong offspring of the Portuguese could already secure the U19 European Championship title last year. At the World Cup in Poland, the Portuguese hope for the next title win. At the showdown between Portugal and Argentina will show whether the U20 of the Portuguese is already ripe for the big World Cup coup, or the South Americans will show them the limits. On Tuesday evening, the match between the two title favorites of the U20 World Cup at 17:00 clock in the stadium Miejski in Bielsko-Biala rises!
Portugal:
In 1991 there was the last U20 World Cup title for the Portuguese. However, the Southern Europeans are still among the contenders for the finals year after year, boasting a promising squad. In 2011, the Portuguese lost in the World Cup final against Brazil only in extra time and had to satisfy themselves with the runner-up. This year, the Portuguese want to win the title again for the first time since 1991 and have nominated for a strong squad. Seven professionals earn their money outside of home. Players like Gedson Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Rafael Leao or Florentino are either already under contract at top clubs or are at least on the radar of these clubs. Midfielder Gedson Fernandes is the most valuable player in the Portuguese squad.
Already the preparation was pretty good from the portuguese point of view. In this calendar year, the U20 of Portugal has lost only against the German national team. Before the start of the World Cup, the Portuguese won the dress rehearsal against the U20 of Saudi Arabia.
Immediately to the debut in Group F, there was the victory for Portugal over South Korea. In the narrow 1-0 against the Asians, the Portuguese selection showed a solid performance, although South Korea had quite a chance to equalize. The 1: 0 had to be finally classified as a work victory. In the game against Argentina, the team of coach Helio Sousa will have to adjust to the concentrated offensive of the Argentines, which has already convinced in the first group match with five goals against South Africa.
Argentina:
In addition to the favorites France and Portugal, the Argentinians are also placed at the U20 World Cup in Poland. After the impressive group match against South Africa, the U20 of Argentina are now facing Portugal. Thanks to the 5-2 win over the South Africans, the South Americans could shoot for the duel against Portugal. For the seventh World Cup title for the U20, the match against the Portuguese will be groundbreaking.
Already in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup, the Argentines had made considerable achievements. In preparation for the World Cup in Poland, the light blue-white lost only one of four four preparatory matches (against France). In the last U20 World Cup, the “Albiceleste” could not prevail against England and South Korea and retired already in the group stage. Whether the South Koreans will be an unpleasant obstacle for the Argentinians again this year, will be shown on the last group match day. If Argentina lose the showdown against Portugal and the South Koreans win at the same time against South Africa, the final group game would be groundbreaking for the South Americans anyway, although four of the six group third, as we know, also make the leap to the next round.
With players like Nehuen Perez, Ezequiel Barco and Joaquin Blazquez, there are three legionnaires in the U20 selection of Argentines. Most valuable player is Agustin Almendra, who is currently under contract with Boca Juniors. In the first group game, the offensive from Argentina could deliver a considerable performance and dominated in the opposing half at will. In total, 25 shots were fired. The South Africans were certainly not without chances over the game, but already the quotations on a surprising success of the South Africans before kick-off clarified the low probability of victory of the Underdogs. The group showdown against Portuguese will show how far Argentina can be counted as a title candidate at the 2019 World Cup in Poland.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,66
