Ten-man Brazil on Wednesday dribbled out of the U20 world championship, African representative, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 4-1 in a grueling encounter at La Plata stadium.
Brazil that had beaten another African team in Nigeria 2-0 now meets Israel in the quarterfinal at San Juan on Saturday.
Although Robert Renon of Brazil bagged a red in the 45th minute of play it did not affect the game where Andrey Santos got a brace in the 31st and 90+10th minute. Star boy Marcus Leonardo opened scoring for Brazil via a penalty in the 11th minute. Magical Leonardo it will be recalled scored against Domini Republic and got the brace in the 2-3 loss to Italy.
Silva Dos actually scored the 3rd goal for Brazil in 90+1 minute before Santos scored the 4th goal at 90+10 and Ghophe pulled one back at 90+13 minute for Tunisia.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia from Africa had lost to the Three Lions of England by a lone goal; pecked to submission Iraq by 3-0 but lost again to Uruguay by a lone goal. On the 6th of March Tunisia lost to Senegal 0-3 and got punished by Nigeria on the 10th of March 0-4.
Brazil was humbled by the Junior Azzuris of Italy 3-2; bounced off Dominic Republic 6-0 and maintained the winning jinx over Nigeria 2-0. On the 22nd of April 2023 Brazil dismissed Uzbekistan 4-1 and on 26th April played 1-1 with Iraq.
Both sides have never met before.
Brazil is reckoned to be the second most successful team at U20 in the world having won the title 5 times in 1983 at Mexico when she defeated Argentina by a lone goal to win 1st title; in 1985 at Soviet Union when she beat Spain 1-0 after beating Nigeria 2-0 in the semi; 1993 in Australia after beating Ghana 2-1; 2003 at UAE when Brazil spank rivals Spain again 1-0 and 2011 in Columbia when Portugal was humbled 3-2.
Brazil was Runners-up 4 times also in 1991 at Portugal where she lost to Hosts Portugal 4-2 on penalties after goalless full time; in 1995 in Qatar where she lost 0-2 to Argentina and 2005 in Netherlands where she beat Morocco 2-1 in Losers’ final after losing to Argentina 1-2 in the semis. She won Bronze twice in 1979 and Saudi 1989 beating USA 3-2.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia got bashed 6-0 by Mexico on her first International outing at Tunis on 2th June 1977 but on 20th June 2002 she had grown to wallop Libya 5-0 also in Tunis. In her first Group game on 22nd May she lost to Junior Three Lions of England by a slim lone goal and in the second group game on the 26th of May she nipped Iraq 3-0. On her way to Argentina 2023, she played 3-3 with Congo; lost eventual African Champions, Senegal 0-3 and got wounded by the Flying Eagles of Nigeria 0-4 showing that Tunisia is not a fantastic side playing last 5 games winning one, drawing one and losing 3 with 6 goals scored and 11 conceded.
There were two previous appearances of Tunisia at theU20 World Cup in 1977 when she hosted and placed 14th and at the Soviet Union in 1985 where she placed 16th as she was edged at the group stages.
Later today, Italy will meet England at La Plata at 2200 hours. Nigeria faces Argentina at 2200 hours at Juan. Ecuador will meet South Korea at Santiago on Thursday, 1st June at 1830 hours. Ecuador will slug it out with South Korea on Thursday at 2200 hours.
Perhaps you want to peep at the quarterfinal pairings. Israel vs Brazil at San Juan on Saturday at 1830 hours. USA versus Gam/Uru on Sunday 4th June at 1830 hours. Eng/Ita vs Columbia at San Juan on Saturday 3rd June at 2200 hours. Ecu/SKor vs Arg/Ngr on Sunday at 2200 hours.
Eniola Olatunji
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