The quarterfinal matchup between Messi’s homeland and the country that won the World Cup in Qatar will be a lot tougher than expected. South Korea could face Argentina, the World Cup winners and Messi’s homeland, in the quarterfinals. Kim Eun-jong-ho’s side finished their third Group F match of the tournament on 토토사이트 Monday (Sept. 29) in a goalless draw with the Gambia, securing second place in the group with one win and two draws to advance to the round of 16.
The Koreans will meet Ecuador in the round of 16, the same opponent they faced four years ago in the quarterfinals of Poland 2019, when Choi Joon (Busan) scored the winning goal after an exquisite free-kick pass from Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) gave Korea a 1-0 victory. If South Korea defeats Ecuador again, their next opponent will be the winner of the match between Argentina and Nigeria.
Argentina’s senior national team, led by Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar last year, and a victory on home soil would make it back-to-back titles at a FIFA-organized tournament.
Argentina did not qualify for this year’s U-20 World Cup, but had the “good fortune” to be drawn in Group A after Indonesia was disqualified as hosts just over a month before the tournament. FIFA had chosen Argentina as the new hosts after Indonesian Muslims objected to the entry of Israel, which had qualified for Europe.
Lionel Messi also won the Golden Ball at the tournament in 2005.
Led by Javier Mascherano, a former world-class midfielder, Argentina swept through the group stage. They’ve scored 10 goals in three games while conceding just one. In fact, they’ve been called the best team in the tournament alongside Brazil.
When they meet Argentina in the quarterfinals, they’ll have the added pressure of facing a raucous home crowd. That said, Argentina’s opponent, Nigeria, is no slouch either. They went 2-1-1 alongside Brazil and Italy in Group D, but lost on goal difference and finished third in the group to advance to the round of 16. Italy’s 3-2 victory over “the best” Brazil was followed by a 0-2 loss to Nigeria. The U-20 stage is full of variables.
If they make it past the round of 16, the quarterfinals will be played at the same venue as the round of 16, Santiago del Estero Stadium, on May 5 next month.