2023 FIFA U-17 WC: Five-star Argentina cruise past Venezuela; book Brazil battle in quarter-finals
Bandung, Indonesia (PANA) - Argentina cruised through to a quarter-final meeting with Brazil as they brushed aside Venezuela 5-0 in their Round of 16 encounter in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, FIFA.com reported.
La Albiceleste opened the scoring in pouring rain in Bandung with just 15 minutes on the clock as Ian Subiabre caused chaos on the left flank before delivering a low ball into the danger area which Luis Balbo was deemed to have turned into his own net with Santiago Lopez in close attendance.
The waves of Argentina attacks continued and it was 2-0 in the 22nd minute as Venezuela failed to clear their lines after Subiabre’s latest teasing ball into the box allowed Lopez to drive home, before captain Claudio Echeverri was set up by Valentino Acuna for the third just 10 minutes later.
Lopez was inches away from his second and Argentina’s fourth at the start of the second period as he unleashed a right-foot pile-driver from outside the box which rattled the crossbar before bouncing down and to safety.
Venezuela’s uphill task was made all-but impossible in the 70th minute as, following an on-field VAR review, Pablo Ibarra received a second yellow card and subsequent red for a late challenge on Franco Mastantuono, with Agustin Ruberto dinking home the resulting penalty via the underside of the bar.
And Ruberto rubbed salt into the wounds of their South American rivals 11 minutes from the end as he was allowed time and space in the box to turn and drive beyond Jorge Sanchez.
-0- PANA MA/RA 21Nov2023
