Argentina’s underwhelming showing in the Sudamericano Sub 20 continued on Monday evening as they lost 2-0 in the final group stage to bitter rivals Brazil. In torrential rain, Argentina actually turned in their best performance of the tournament so far – but lost for the first time. Unlucky, boys…
Argentina started the better side, dealing more effectively with the soaking conditions, but the realisation that it wasn’t to be their day came when Uruguayan referee Líber Prudente ruled out a Juan Neira header at 0-0 for Fernando Meza’s offside, even though the latter wasn’t involved in play. Argentina weren’t put off, going close twice in quick succession immediately afterwards.
In the second half, though, Argentina were back to their worst, and even though Brazil didn’t have too many ideas of their own, they began to take control of the match by virtue of their opponents’ nervousness. Twenty-one minutes in, Marcelo Benítez was penalised for an unintentional hand ball and Brazil took the lead from the penalty spot through Alan Kardec.
As Argentina searched for the equaliser, Diego Rodríguez in goal was forced to save his team-mates more than once, making a fine save on one ocassion from Kardec, but Giuliano put the result beyond doubt, making it 2-0 to Brazil with five minutes remaining. Towards the end, there was a bit of a scrap involving both sides, and Franco Zuculini was sent off for Argentina, to be joined by Patric for Brazil. It’s all to do on Wednesday against Uruguay.
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What did you think about the conditions, Sam? If I were the ref I would not have allowed the game to be played. It only vaguely resembled football, far too much water on the pitch.
Any decent young Argentinian U-20 players that we should particularly keep an eye out for Sam?