MIAMI – The FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 continues on Thursday, as the United States of America meets Italy in the in the Round of 16 at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile.
The USA finished the Group Stage with a 2-0-1 record and first place in Group E. The Stars and Stripes began the tournament with a 9-1 victory against New Caledonia, followed by a 3-nil win over France, and a 2-1 loss to South Africa.
Benjamin Cremaschi leads the side with three goals from a hat-trick in the opening match. Nolan Norris follows with two goals scored from a brace in the same encounter.
Niko Tsakiris, Frankie Westfield, Taha Habroune, Cole Campbell, Zavier Gozo, Brooklyn Raines, Marcos Zambrano, and Noah Cobb also found the back of the net for the U.S.
Marko Mitrović’s side set a new team record for most goals scored in a group stage with a final tally of 13 goals. With 10 different goal scorers, the U.S. surpassed its previous record (8) at one tournament.
Italy as the second-place team from Group D with a 1-1-1 record. The European nation opened its campaign with a 1-nil win against Australia, followed by a 2-2 draw with Cuba, and a 1-nil defeat to Argentina.
The meeting will mark the second-ever between the USA and Italy at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The U.S. fell 3-1 in the previous matchup, which also came in the Round of 16, during the 2005 edition.
United States in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup
The United States and Italy will meet for the second time in the Round of 16 at a FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their previous knockout encounter took place on June 21, 2005, at the Grolsch Veste Stadium in Enschede, Netherlands, where Italy earned a 3-1 comeback win. The Italian goals were scored by Daniele Galloppa, Graziano Pellè, and an own goal by Sacha Kljestan. The lone U.S. goal came from Hunter Freeman via a penalty kick.
This marks the eighth time the U.S. reaches the Round of 16 and the eleventh overall appearance in this stage. The Americans have advanced six times and hold the distinction of qualifying to the Quarterfinals in five straight tournaments since Canada 2007.
Recent U.S. Round of 16 Results:
- 2007 (Canada): 2-1 vs Uruguay
- 2015 (New Zealand): 1-0 vs Colombia
- 2017 (Korea Republic): 6-0 vs New Zealand
- 2019 (Poland): 2-3 vs France
- 2023 (Argentina): 4-0 vs New Zealand
This will be the fourth time the United States faces a UEFA team in the Round of 16. The lone win came in a thrilling 3-2 victory over France in 2019. The other two encounters ended in defeat:
- 1999 (Nigeria): 2-3 vs Spain
- 2005 (Netherlands): 1-3 vs Italy
For Italy, this will be their eighth Round of 16 match against a Concacaf team. Remarkably, they remain unbeaten in these contests, with a record of 5 wins and 2 draws (W-5, D-2).
Top U.S. Scorers in the Round of 16:
- Sebastián Soto – 2 goals vs France (Poland 2019)
- Taylor Twellman – 2 goals vs Spain (Nigeria 1999)
This match will also mark the first time a European coach leads the U.S. in the Round of 16. Serbian manager Marko Mitrović becomes the seventh to take the helm in this stage, following five Americans (James Hoffman, Sigi Schmid, Wolfgang Sühnholz, Tab Ramos, Mikey Varas) and one New Zealander (Thomas Rongen).
