Benjamin Cremaschi has emerged because the breakout star of the U.S. Youth Nationwide Staff on the U-20 World Cup, persevering with his sturdy type with a brace within the spherical of 16 towards Italy. After including two extra targets to his tally, the previous Inter Miami midfielder is now closing in on the file held by his ex-teammate and legend, Lionel Messi.
The USYNT entered the matchup towards Italy trying to bounce again from a shocking setback towards South Africa of their last group-stage recreation, although they nonetheless topped their group. Going through a European powerhouse in Italy, the People produced a dominant 3–0 victory to advance to the quarterfinals, with Cremaschi as soon as once more stealing the highlight.
In opposition to Italy, Cremaschi opened the scoring within the fifteenth minute, pouncing on a rebound contained in the field following a nook kick. He later sealed the win in stoppage time, ending with a intelligent left-footed chip to make it 3–0. Now the match’s high scorer with 5 targets, Cremaschi is inside hanging distance of Messi’s mark within the all-time U-20 World Cup scoring charts.
Lionel Messi starred within the 2005 U-20 World Cup within the Netherlands, main Argentina to the title with a 2–1 win over Nigeria within the last. Messi performed all seven matches in that match, scoring six targets — together with each within the championship recreation — to complete because the match’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner.
Wanting on the all-time rankings, Cremaschi at present sits tied for 18th place with 25 different gamers on 5 targets. On the high of the record stands one other Argentine, former Actual Madrid and Barcelona ahead Javier Saviola, who scored 11 targets in seven matches throughout the 2001 version.
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Along with his brace, Cremaschi additionally made historical past as the U.S. participant with essentially the most targets in U-20 World Cup historical past. The midfielder has set a brand new commonplace for the American youth setup, and within the quarterfinals, he’ll have the possibility to equal and even surpass Messi’s whole if he finds the online once more.
What’s subsequent for the USYNT within the U-20 World Cup?
Following the three–0 victory over Italy, the U.S. joins the ultimate eight groups within the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile. The People’ finest end got here in 1989, after they positioned fourth, and Marko Mitrović’s facet shall be trying to make historical past this time round.
Within the quarterfinals, the USYNT will face Morocco, who defeated South Korea 2–1 within the spherical of 16. The African facet has been one of many match’s surprises, taking down Brazil and Spain within the group stage earlier than falling to Mexico. The quarterfinal match will happen Sunday at Codelco Stadium.
