Fran Merida has returned to Arsenal after Spain lost out to Italy in the second round of the U20 World Cup after an eventful game in Cairo, which finished 3-1 to the Azzurini.
Tournament favourites Spain had Alberto Botia sent off midway through the first half as Italy went on to take full advantage. Despite a spirited display from Spain, Andrea Mazzarani and Mattia Mustacchio broke Spanish hearts as their goals sent Italy in to the quarter finals where they will face either Hungary or Czechoslovakia.
The Italians are true masters at grinding out results when it matters, and today’s performance was no different. Italy started well, creating the first real effort on goal as Mazzarani set up Fabio Sciacca whose low shot skidded in to the side netting.
Spain were struggling to get a grip on the game, and after an ugly challenge on Mustacchio in the 30th minute, Botia was given his marching orders, giving Luis Milla’s team a real uphill challenge.
Spain managed to hold out till half time, and when the teams reappeared nearly went one nil up as Aaron Niguez struck a shot just over.
Shortly after the game really sparked in to gear. Mazzarani was able to find Mustacchio who slotted the ball home, putting the Italians in to the lead. Spain responded immediately and it was Niguez again who tried his luck from distance, forcing Fiorillo to tip the ball on the crossbar.
However in the 61st minute it looked as though it was all over for Spain as Mazzarani was able to take full advantage of a mistake by Oriel Romeu and stab a right foot shot beyond Sergio Asenjo.
Only 5 minutes later though and Spain gave themselves a glimmer of hope as Michelangelo Albertazzi tugged the shirt of Andre Herreira in the box, conceding a penalty from which Niguez cheekily clipped the ball past the committed Fiorillo. Game on.
Shortly after Merida was replaced as Spain searched for an equaliser. Merida has certainly impressed during the tournament, claiming 3 goals along the way.
In the 84th minute Niguez was brought down by Matteo Brusagin and the penalty was given. This time though Fiorillo guesed right, saving the Celta Vigo wingers penalty. Italy wrapped up the result in the 87th minute as Mustacchio raced clear and finished with a precise, low left-footed drive.
England were finally put out of their misery as they drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan on Friday evening. Both sides went into this match knowing that only a substantial win, aided by results elsewhere would give them a chance of progressing.
Brian Eastick’s side were previously outplayed by Ghana and Uruguay, and things didn’t improve when they met Uzbekistan. A dull game, which only came to life in the last 15 minutes when Ivan Nagaev put Uzbekistan ahead in the 77th minute, only for Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely to score the equaliser with two minutes remaining, condemning both teams to an early elimination. Gavin Hoyte however did pick up his first appearance of the tournament as he came on with just over 20 minutes to play, but there was little he could do to change the game.
All in all it was a disappointing tournament for Gavin, who will now be looking to claim a place in Arsenal’s reserves and possibly the Carling Cup squad on his return.
Article By – Nick Love
I will be looking forward to the England U20s next year or the year after with more Arsenal youth participation. I can’t imagine some of our youngsters aren’t among the best in the world. Or have I got that wrong?
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Spot on Shad!
DId the other big 4 teams have many players in the U20’s either? or was it just us who was ignored?
I think not a lot of “first-team” players are sent to this tournament, as it is during the season. Otherwise Arsenal would have had more participants for England.
Czechoslovakia? Don’t you mean Prussia?
Czechoslovakia?
Glad to see Merida on his way back to the club, this boy has a big future at Arsenal, hopefuly he can be in the Carling and FA cup squads with maybe one or two run out’s with the firts team.
hoyte and merida to go straight into the CC team.
i wonder if Merida will be challenging Ramsey for a midfield sub role? I havent seen much of this boy and i’m v.curious.However Ramsey has also done well when he’s come on in the last 10/15mins.
Italy will go on to face either Hungary or Czechoslovakia? Do you mean the Czech Republic or Slovakia, they’re two different countries.
Km, i have seen enough of the merida both at arsenal and also on loan. this guy is da bomb. I was shitting myself when he played against my national team (nigeria) in the under 20 world cup in egypt. He was the only difference between the two teams. I wished he was on the nigerian team as a player of his calibre was what nigeria needed. OH gosh!!! what planet does he come from with those his ever-precised left footed shots. come on Arsenal!!!
Pecking order of midfielders at the club
Cesc_____Song____Diaby
Ramsey___Deni____Eboue
Wlishere_________Merida
With Deni out injured and the possibilty of Diaby being injured I can see Ramsey starting more EPL games and Merida getting sub cameos. I dont think he is as well progressed as Ramsey but is a fine player and CC cup games and FA Cup games will bring him on ala Gibbs route I believe
Great report. Hope to see Merida in the Carling Cup or even some Premiership matches. By the way I’m being nitpicky, is it not Czech Republic instead of Czechoslovakia?
Czech Republic
I think merida could challenge ramsey for a place esp as he is left footed and might give the midfield a better balance, but in reality i can’t see him getting much first team action as he has to also contend with tom, nasri, eboue and diaby too. CC for him at best this year i think.
If an Arsenal player was shown a straight red for the challenge Botia got sent off for, i would be raging. It was very harsh. A yellow would have been the correct punishment for such a tackle.
Expetc to see them both in the squad to play liverpool in the Carling Cup, Merida will most likley be a starter in that game, Gavin Hoyte might be used as cover for Silvestre/Senderos or may play in place of Gilbert, who had a poor performance agsindt WBA.
Merida is better than ramsey n diaby n he is left footed perfect for our midfield
Apologies, it is Czech Republic.
Italy will face Hungary though as they beat the Czech’s on penalties.
it makes me laugh when i saw Czechoslovakia, I dont know in which year the autor of this article lives,
A very nice Topic. Thanks alot hope you go for the detail next time!