Two sets of continental heavyweights will square off today in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, producing two tantalising quarterfinals. The teams will compete for a spot in the last four.
In the first match, Spain will play Germany at 2:30 pm (Bangladesh time). Both of these formidable European teams are still vying for their first-ever title at this level. Both have been fired up to this point by young talents for Barcelona, Marc Guiu and Noah Darvich, the captain of Germany.
An U-17 Superclásico between Brazil and Argentina will determine the second semi-final spot (Bangladesh time: 6:00pm).
Only Nigeria (5) has won more championships than the Selecáõ, who are the second most successful team in the sport after their four U-17 global crowns. Argentina, on the other hand, has yet to triumph in this tournament and is adamant about destroying their neighbours.
The captain and No. 10 for Albiceleste, Claudio Echeverri, stated: “The team is here to become world champions. We will make every effort to obtain it because it is the sole championship that the nation is now lacking.”
In addition to competing for a spot in the final four, Argentina will be looking to extract retribution on Friday. Diego Placente’s team played Brazil in the thrilling final group match of the South American U-17 Championship [Sudamericano] on April 23, this year. Brazil prevailed in the match to win the title of continental champions.
Brazil won 2-0 in less than half an hour on that unforgettable afternoon in Quito thanks to goals from Dudu and Riquelme, who is ironically named after the Argentine football icon Juan Roman Riquelme. Nonetheless, Argentina shown a strong will to equalise through Echeverri and Juan Gimenez. Even with that comeback, A Seleção would go on to win 3-2 when Joao Pedro gave them the lead once more in the 60th minute.
“We will give it our all because both teams are fervently interested in winning against Brazil. We were bitterly disappointed by their defeat in the Sudamericano, but we now have the opportunity to exact revenge at the World Cup, Echeverri stated.