Host Argentina has become the first team to advance to the round of 16 at the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) U-20 World Cup 2023.

Argentina defeated Guatemala 3-0 in their second Group A match of the tournament on Thursday (Sept. 24) at the Santiago del Estero Stadium in Santiago, Argentina.

The win secured a spot in the round of 16 for the group leaders (6-2 on aggregate), who also won 2-1 against Uzbekistan in the first round.

Even if Argentina loses its final three games, it will secure at least second place in the group.

In this tournament, the four best-performing teams from the first, second, and third place teams in each group advance to the Round of 16.

Argentina, the reigning champions (1979-1995-1997-2001-2005-2007), will try to win their seventh title.

It was a rough game that saw a player sent off for both teams.

Guatemala lost midfielder Carlos Vargas in the 13th minute of the second half when he was sent off for a second yellow card for a reckless tackle. Vargas was the first player to be sent off in the tournament.

In the 37th minute, Argentina center back Tomas Aviles was sent off for accumulating cautions.

Argentina took the lead on a header by Alejo Velis in the 17th minute and a mid-range goal by Luca Romero in the 20th minute.

In stoppage time, Maximo Peron sealed the victory when he calmly slotted home the rebound after his teammate’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Then, in the 48th minute, Sherzod Esanov’s diving header from a Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov cross rattled the New Zealand net to give Uzbekistan a valuable point.

In the second Group B match at San Juan Stadium, the United States defeated Fiji 3-0 to maintain its lead at the top of the group (6 points) with its second straight win and significantly improve its chances of qualifying for the round of 16.

Fiji, which lost its second straight, remains in last place.

The game was one-sided, with the U.S. holding a 31-6 advantage in shots, but goals were slow to come as the attackers struggled to maintain composure in the box.

It took the Americans until the 21st minute of the second half for Diego Luna to open the scoring with a right-footed strike from the left side of the goal area, but back-to-back goals from Cade Curwell in the 43rd minute and Caleb Wiley in stoppage time sealed the victory 토토사이트.

Ecuador came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1.

Ecuador (0 goals) and Slovakia (+3 goals) are tied at 1-1-1 with three points, with Slovakia holding the lead in goal difference.

Slovakia took the lead in the 29th minute on a mid-range goal from Mate Solgay, but Ecuador responded with a goal from Justin Cuero in first-half stoppage time to make it 1-1.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, Jose Klinger scored a spectacular mid-range goal from about 30 meters out to give Ecuador the three points.