FIFA U-20 World Cup: Senegal on the Brink After Draw Against Israel

Senegal settled for a draw (1-1) in their second game in the FIFA U-20 World Cup against Israel at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata on Wednesday. The Lions of Teranga earned their first point in the U-20 World Cup in Group C.

Senegal was close to elimination after Babacar Ndiaye opened the scoring for Israel with an own goal in the 58th minute. Pape Demba Diop scored the equalizer in the 80th minute, giving the young Teranga Lions hope of qualification.

Notre buteur d’hier soir ! 📸

Pape Demba Diop [2003] sur ses 7 derniers matchs avec le Sénégal U20 c’est 6 buts inscrits ! 🔝🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/ddhvONj4BF

— 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲́𝗻𝗲́𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗶𝘀 🇸🇳 (@JoueursSN) May 25, 2023

As it Stands in Group C

Senegal is sharing the bottom of the table in their group with Israel. Both teams have a point each. Colombia sits atop the Group C table with six points after their win against Japan (2-1).

Riku Yamane opened the scoring for Japan on the half-hour mark, but Yaser Asprilla and Tomás Ángel led the Colombians to their second victory with goals in the 53rd and 59th, respectively. Therefore, Japan is second with three points gained from their first game win against Senegal.

The African champions will have to win their next group-stage game against Colombia to have a chance of qualifying for the next round of the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Argentina. The game will be held on May 27.

In the group stage, 16 teams will progress to the single-elimination knockout rounds. In addition to the four best third-place teams, the top two finishers will also advance. This means Senegal has a chance to reach the knockout stage.

Senegal 🇸🇳 at the 2023 AFCON U20;

6 matches played
6 wins
14 goals scored
0 conceded

Senegal at the ongoing U20 World Cup;

Senegal 0-1 Japan
Senegal 1-1 Israel

The African champions must beat Colombia in their last game to stand a chance of reaching the Round of 16.#U20WC pic.twitter.com/xNWLtEQ8C2

— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) May 24, 2023

The Flying Eagles to the Knockout Stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup

Nigeria is the first African team to secure a place in the knockout round of the 2023 U-20 World Cup following their second victory against Italy (2-0) at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza, on Wednesday night.

Salim Fago opened the scoring for the Super Eagles in the 61st minute, and Jude Sunday added the second goal in the added time (95th minute). Nigeria is leading Group D with six points, while Brazil crushed the Dominican Republic 6-0 to reach second place with Italy (three points each). The Dominican Republic remains pointless.

The Flying Eagles will face Brazil in their last group stage game on Saturday, May 27, to determine the national team they will face in the Round of 16.

Nigeria U20 at the on going World Cup. 2/2 wow. Let’s see how far they’ll go. Well done flying eagles. pic.twitter.com/DHwBPJoXD2

— ‘EKEMINI’ (@EkeminiNels0n) May 25, 2023