France v Uruguay
The U20 World Cup final is set for Saturday with France and Uruguay to do battle for the right to be honoured world champions. France have met everyone’s big expectations in the Under-20 World Cup, but they faced a tougher fight from Ghana than expected in the semi-finals. Les Bleus dispatched of the Black Stars easily in the group stage, but were made to fight for a very difficult 2-1 win on Wednesday.
France have had to perform at the top of their game to earn their place in the final. They were drawn in Group A, the ‘Group of Death’, with Spain, Ghana and USA. They managed to finish second in the group losing out on top spot to Spain, earning four points with one defeat against the Euro champions. They were then drawn against hosts Turkey who they easily dispatched 4-1 with a classy performance. Surprise package Uzbekistan were their quarter-final opponents and France rose to the occasion by winning the match with four goals, this time keeping a clean sheet.
They are led by midfielder Paul Pogba who joined Juventus from Manchester United last season and totalled five goals in 27 Serie A appearances for the Italian champions. Still just 20, Pogba brings huge experience. He made eight appearances in the UEFA Champions League last season and for such a young player he has developed an impressive skill set. Florian Thauvin, who has recently signed for Lille, is another key player and scored both goals in France’s semi-final victory. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder scored 10 goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances last season for Bastia. Striker Yaya Sanogo, who just signed for Arsenal, will be hoping to land France the title and also add two goals to his four scored so far, to win the Golden Boot award.
Uruguay beat Iraq 7-6 on penalties to see them reach their first U-20 World Cup final in 16 years after a 1-1 draw following two hours of action on Wednesday. Iraq opened the scoring with an outrageous free-kick, before a late Gonzalo Bueno goal sent the game beyond 90 minutes, and when they could not be separated it came down to one missed penalty that decided the match. Uruguay finished second in their group with 6 points. They lost to group winners Croatia 1-0 but went on to beat New Zealand 2-0 and Uzbekistan 4-0.
Since the group stages they have fought hard through the knockout stages. They overcame Nigeria 2-1 in the last 16 before beating Spain 1-0 in extra-time in the quarter-finals and then won on penalties against Iraq. Their defending is organised and solid having conceded just three goals in their six matches during the tournament. Uruguay’s right back, Guillermo Varela, was the first signing of new Manchester United manager David Moyes. Roma’s Nico Lopez’s performances at the Under-20 World Cup have been outstanding. The striker scored twice in the round of 16 against Nigeria and has found the back of the net four times in total.
France have performed the better of the two and their attacking potential should be enough to unlock the stubborn Uruguayan defence a few times. France are tipped for glory.
