The U-20 Argentine men’s team, led by Javier Mascherano, became champion of the traditional tournament in L’Alcudia, in Spain, with a 4-0 win over Uruguay.
Agustín Giay, Ignacio Maestro Puch, Brian Aguirre and Lautaro Ovando scored the goals from a penalty kick at the “Els Arcs” Municipal Stadium, while goalkeeper Federico Gómes Gerth saved striker Andrés Ferrari’s penalty kick.
In this way, Argentina obtained the third title after the conquests in 2012 and 2018 and equaled the marks of Brazil and Spain (three). The previous time, the Argentine team achieved consecration with Lionel Scaloni as coach.
Argentina formed with Federico Gómes Gerth; Agustín Giay, Lautaro Di Lollo, Francisco Marco, Valentín Barco; Lautaro López, Nicolás Paz, Agustín Rodríguez, Juan Gauto, Ignacio Maestro Puch; Brian Aguirre. Then Mateo Seoane, Brian Aguilar, Lautaro Ovando and Nahuel Genez entered.
Mascherano’s team took the lead when they made the most of a rebound after Uruguay’s missed free kick. The counterattack was lethal with Aguirre’s pass and Giay’s definition. At 23 minutes, Atlético Tucumán attacker Maestro Puch could have increased the difference, but his shot went close to the right post.
At the end of the first half, Argentina successfully defended a Uruguayan free kick executed a few meters from the area, when the referee charged an indirect foul for Marco’s back pass to Gómes Gerth.
Uruguay went out looking for the equalizer and their intention was frustrated when Argentina took advantage of a corner kick. Master Puch, with a header, made it 2-0.
Shortly after, Barco committed an offense in the area and Gómes Gerth, with a save without a rebound, gave Argentina peace of mind in the penalty executed by Ferrari. Aguirre sealed the 3-0 after Gauto’s cross, and Ovando defined with fairness in the second penalty of the night for the final 4-0.
Both teams were winners of their respective zones in the initial phase, and reached the definition with identical campaigns of three wins and one draw.
Argentina, six times and top world champion in the category, debuted 0-0 against Ukraine’s Rukh, and then went on to win against Valencia FC (2-0), UD Alzira (1-0) and Levante (2-0), in semifinals.
The Argentine consecration in the tournament played since 1984 was attended by the president of the AFA, Claudio Tapia, and the midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, in the stalls area, in a stadium packed with seven thousand spectators who followed until the end this 38th . contest edition.
