England, Argentina in tougher path to Under-20 World Cup final; Brazil finds better road
Tunisia’s goalkeeper Dries Arfaoui, center, blocks a shot by England’s Daniel Jebbison, left, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
England’s Harvey Vale, left, and Tunisia’s Jebril Othman fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Savio reacts after missing a chance to score against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Jean Pedroso, second from right, is congratulated after scoring his side’s opening goal against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Argentina’s Alejo Veliz, tries a shot on goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina’s Federico Redondo, right, and Guatemala’s Jonathan Franco compete for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Italy’s Giuseppe Ambrosino reacts after failing to score during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match against the Dominican Republic at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Tunisia’s Youssef Snana, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Iraq at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Thursday, May 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Uruguay’s goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez makes s save during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Tunisia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
South Korea’s Kim Yong-hak falls during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against Gambia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Gambia’s Mansour Mbye goes for a header during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against South Korea at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Colombia’s Tomas Angel, right, fails to score as Senegal’s Djibril Diarra looks on, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Nigeria’s Daniel Daga, top, and Brazil’s Marlon Gomes fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Players of Uzbekistan celebrates after defeating 2-0 Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Uzbekistan’s players genuflect after Shakhzodjon Nematjonov scored his side’s opening goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Ecuador’s Justin Cuero, back, is congratulated after scoring his team’s 4th goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Slovakia’s Leo Sauer, right, and Mauricio Cuevas of the United States battle for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Cade Cowell of the United States, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s first goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match against Slovakia at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Israel’s Roy Navi, center, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Japan, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Tunisia’s goalkeeper Dries Arfaoui, center, blocks a shot by England’s Daniel Jebbison, left, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Tunisia’s goalkeeper Dries Arfaoui, center, blocks a shot by England’s Daniel Jebbison, left, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
England’s Harvey Vale, left, and Tunisia’s Jebril Othman fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
England’s Harvey Vale, left, and Tunisia’s Jebril Othman fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Savio reacts after missing a chance to score against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Savio reacts after missing a chance to score against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Jean Pedroso, second from right, is congratulated after scoring his side’s opening goal against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Brazil’s Jean Pedroso, second from right, is congratulated after scoring his side’s opening goal against Nigeria during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Argentina’s Alejo Veliz, tries a shot on goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina’s Alejo Veliz, tries a shot on goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina’s Federico Redondo, right, and Guatemala’s Jonathan Franco compete for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina’s Federico Redondo, right, and Guatemala’s Jonathan Franco compete for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Italy’s Giuseppe Ambrosino reacts after failing to score during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match against the Dominican Republic at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Italy’s Giuseppe Ambrosino reacts after failing to score during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match against the Dominican Republic at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Tunisia’s Youssef Snana, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Iraq at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Thursday, May 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Tunisia’s Youssef Snana, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Iraq at Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Thursday, May 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Uruguay’s goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez makes s save during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Tunisia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Uruguay’s goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez makes s save during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E soccer match against Tunisia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
South Korea’s Kim Yong-hak falls during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against Gambia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
South Korea’s Kim Yong-hak falls during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against Gambia at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Gambia’s Mansour Mbye goes for a header during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against South Korea at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Gambia’s Mansour Mbye goes for a header during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F soccer match against South Korea at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Colombia’s Tomas Angel, right, fails to score as Senegal’s Djibril Diarra looks on, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Colombia’s Tomas Angel, right, fails to score as Senegal’s Djibril Diarra looks on, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Nigeria’s Daniel Daga, top, and Brazil’s Marlon Gomes fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Nigeria’s Daniel Daga, top, and Brazil’s Marlon Gomes fight for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Players of Uzbekistan celebrates after defeating 2-0 Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Players of Uzbekistan celebrates after defeating 2-0 Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Uzbekistan’s players genuflect after Shakhzodjon Nematjonov scored his side’s opening goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Uzbekistan’s players genuflect after Shakhzodjon Nematjonov scored his side’s opening goal against Guatemala during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Ecuador’s Justin Cuero, back, is congratulated after scoring his team’s 4th goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Ecuador’s Justin Cuero, back, is congratulated after scoring his team’s 4th goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Madre De Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Slovakia’s Leo Sauer, right, and Mauricio Cuevas of the United States battle for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Slovakia’s Leo Sauer, right, and Mauricio Cuevas of the United States battle for the ball during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Cade Cowell of the United States, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s first goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match against Slovakia at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Cade Cowell of the United States, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s first goal during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group B soccer match against Slovakia at the San Juan stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Israel’s Roy Navi, center, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Japan, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Israel’s Roy Navi, center, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Japan, during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
SAO PAULO (AP) — The knockout stage of the Under-20 World Cup will feature all four South American teams that started the tournament, and only two European soccer powerhouses: England and Italy.
The two will meet on Wednesday in the most anticipated encounter of the round-of-16. The winner will move to face Colombia or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.
On the same side of the draw, Argentina will take on Nigeria on Wednesday. If the hosts advance, they will play either a physically strong Ecuador or a fast-paced South Korea.
Brazil’s next rival will be Tunisia, which advanced for having scored one more goal than France. If the Brazilians confirm their favoritism on Wednesday, they will take on either Asian champion Uzbekistan or debutant Israel.
The United States will play New Zealand on Tuesday in the battle to reach the last eight. The winner of that match will challenge either Gambia or Uruguay.
Two of the favorites in the tournament failed to advance to the round-of-16; France finished third in its group and African champions Senegal, in fourth. Japan, which ended its group stage campaign in third position, also failed to qualify after a strong start.
Among the teams advancing to the knockout stage, Argentina has six titles in the tournament, Brazil totals five and England won the 2017 edition.
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