Tournament kicked off today in Colombia and will end on February 12. The top 4 teams qualify for the World Cup, in Indonesia later this year (May 20 to June 11). https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Sul-Americano_de_Futebol_Sub-20_de_2023 Brazil is without a number of big names, who were not released by their clubs, but Andrey Santos and Victor Roque are on the roster and both of them scored in today's 3x0 win over Peru. All goals came late in the second half: https://ge.globo.com/futebol/sul-americano-sub-20/jogo/19-01-2023/peru-brasil.ghtml Next match is Monday against Argentina.
Brazil had a bye in round 2 (yesterday), while Paraguay beat Argentina and Colombia beat Peru. Tomorrow is Brazil x Argentina and then Wednesday and Friday to conclude the group matches. (Yep, only 48 hours between matches). The other group will conclude on Saturday and then the top 3 in each group will play the final round starting Tuesday, January 31 and ending on February 12 (so 72 hours between matches for the final phase).
Vitor Roque added a late PK and Argentina got a consolation goal in the 90th minute. 3x1 final score, Brazil with 2 wins and 6 goals in 2 matches. They'll have to rotate as the next two games are Wednesday and Friday. Andrey had a concussion scare late in the first half but played on after a few minutes off the field being checked.
Next match is against Paraguay, the group leader. they brat Argentina and Peru, and they tied Colombia. They will have the last match day off and will qualify regardless of the result. Friday is against Colombia, who also beat Peru, and tied Paraguay so far, so they have 4 points. Argentina has 0 points but two matches left, Peru is out with 0 points and only 1 match left. https://ge.globo.com/futebol/sul-americano-sub-20/
Highlights: In addition to the goals, there's a saved PK for Mycael. Yet another standout goalkeeper produced at Atlético Paranaense, where both Weverton and Santos started.
As Celito wrote, Argentina's U-20 manager is Mascherano, and after the match, he stated that his team was "amplamente superados pelo Brasil." Ramon Menezes is the manager for Brazil. The same Ramon who played in the powerful Vasco team of the late 1990s; he played alongside Edmundo and was part of that squad which won the 1998 Libertadores and the 1997 Campeonato Brasileiro. Time has flown by.... Hoping for wins against Colombia and Paraguay so Brazil is well-positioned going into the final round as the youngsters attempt to win Brazil's 12th South American U-20 title (and the first since 2011).
I got the matchups wrong in my post above. Today was vs. Colombia. I didn't follow this one as closely. Colombia are hosts and scored first. Brazil tied with Andrey late in the first half. Brazil and Paraguay lead the group on 7 points and were already qualified. They'll play for first place on Friday. Argentina beat Peru today. They will face Colombia on Friday and whoever loses is out. A draw favors Colombia.
Match vs Paraguay started. 0x0 15 mins in. Alternative line-up for Brazil, already qualified: Kaique; André, Douglas Mendes, Jean e Kaiki; Ronald, Arthur e Luís Guilherme; Stênio, Pedrinho e Renan Viana Paraguay also already qualified. 1st or 2nd place will basically determine your schedule for the final round.
Brazil won, de virada, taking the group with 3 wins and 1 draw. This means Brazil will face Uruguay only in the last match of the final round. First they will face the third and second placed teams in Group B (Tuesday and Friday next week), then Paraguay and Colombia again (Colombia eliminated Argentina today, taking third place). Then Uruguay in the last round of the final stage on February 12.
Final round starts today. Paraguay and Venezuela are currently playing. Brazil x Ecuador is in just under and hour (7:30pm Brazil time) Uruguay x Colombia closes out the round later.
Brazil up 2x0 at half with 2 goals from Vitor Roque. Excellent start. He might have to come off as he's limping. Would probably be best to rest him for the remaining final stage matches. Defense has been shaky at times playing out, but once they get past pressure the team is threatening and looks likely to score again.
Ecuador player almost just scored a goal running the length of the field. Good save from Michael (or Micael whatever his name is ). EDIT: It's Mycael ...
I managed to watch most of the second half. Brazil lost all bite up front without Vitor Roque (subbed off at the half). Ecuador did look better, and forced one good save from Mycael (in addition to another one he made at 0x0, 2 great saves). They finally broke through after 70 -75 minutes and it could have been a tough last 15 minutes but Brazil got one on a free kick, with Andrey on the end of a cross. Apparently it might have been offside but there's no VAR in this tournament. Solid start, 3 points when Paraguay and Venezuela got a draw earlier. Uruguay vs. Colombia now. A draw would put us in control of the final stage.
I saw only bits and pieces of the second half, and that was precisely when Ecuador was more aggressive and with fast players and attacks, managed to get their goal. They deserved at least one and they could have made it 2-2 had an earlier chance not hit the woodwork and Mycael. I'm confident as Brazil heads to the match vs. Venezuela; Venezuela did beat Chile and Ecuador 1-0 each, but they lost to Uruguay 3-0 and even to Bolivia, 1-0 as well.
Tomorrow's slate: Uruguay x Ecuador 5pm (Brazilian time) Brazil x Venezuela 7:30pm Paraguay x Colombia 10pm
It took more than half to score the 1st goal vs Venezuela. Vitor Roque again ... after he missed a sitter just a couple of minutes earlier.