Two of the title favorites lost their opening games at the Under-20 World Cup on Sunday when Italy upstaged Brazil 3-2 and Japan produced a shocking 1-0 upset win over Senegal.
Argentina will play on the opening day of the Under-20 World Cup on Saturday just over a month since it replaced Indonesia as tournament host and participant. After such a dramatic race to the start line, 24 competing teams and soccer’s international governing body can breathe a sigh of relief. Four cities in Argentina will feature some of the sport’s best young prospects while the South American nation is still celebrating Lionel Messi and his national team’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.