Argentina defeated Guatemala 3-0 on match day 2, at the Santiago del Estero Stadium on Tuesday, to stay perfect and make it two wins from two to go top of Group A at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023.
With this win, Argentina eased into the last-16 of the U20 World Cup. Javier Mascherano’s team dominated the early stages and took the lead after 17 minutes when Alejo Veliz powered a brilliant header into the top corner.
According to fifa.com, Guatemala provided a test for Argentina and produced a handful of chances, but the hosts’ keeper Federico Gomes Gerth was up to the challenges thrown his way.
Basically, Guatemala’s work was made that much tougher when Carlos Santos was shown a second yellow card and subsequently the tournament’s first red card in the 58th minute.
The pain multiplied for the Guatemalans minutes later when substitute Luka Romero doubled the hosts’ lead, scoring from well over 20 yards out after some patient build-up play by Javier Mascherano’s side.
Argentina were also reduced to ten men in the 82nd minute when Tomas Aviles received a second yellow card for a deliberate handball right outside the penalty area. However,
Guatemala failed to take advantage of the opportunity as Daniel Cardoza skied his effort over the bar.
Star man Maximo Perrone added the cherry on top in stoppage time with Argentina’s third goal of the evening, prodding home a rebound into an open net after Moreno initially made a
save from Ignacio Maestro Puch’s fierce shot.
An easy 3-0 win for the hosts, in the end, reiterates their credentials at this tournament.
Argentina’s next battle will be to face New Zealand in a top-of-the-table clash on 26 May at 18:00 local time in Group A, while Guatemala will take on Uzbekistan at the same
time.
