BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – The United States stormed back from a 2-1 second half deficit to beat France 3-2 in the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday evening at the Bydgoszcz Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The U.S. advances to the quarterfinals where it will face Ecuador on Saturday.
The U.S. enjoyed a strong start by striking for the game’s first goal via a counterattack in the 25’. Richard Ledezma filtered in a pass into the streaking Sebastian Soto, who them calmly curled in a right-footed shot to make it 1-0 to the U.S.
France looked to respond and the tying goal would arrive in the 41’ when Amine Gouiri had the time and space to fire in a right-footed shot to level the score 1-1.
France had the momentum to start the second half and added a second goal in the 55’ when a Moussa Diaby shot struck the post and rolled to Nabil Alioui, who slammed a shot into an open net to earn France a 2-1 advantage.
But back came the U.S. and Soto evened things up 2-2 in the 74’ with a fine finish after receiving a pass from Timothy Weah.
The U.S. was brimming with confidence and when France GK Alban Lafont was unable to hold onto Sergino Dest’s long-range effort, Justin Rennicks pounced and scored to hand the U.S. a 3-2 lead in the 83’ that it held until the final whistle.
