SPORTS | 21-05-2023 11:00

U20 World Cup: Argentina secure narrow 2-1 win over Uzbekistan

Argentina’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign got off to a winning start on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Uzbekistan.

Argentina's players celebrate after defeating Uzbekistan during the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup Group A football match between Argentina and Uzbekistan at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on May 20, 2023. | Gustavo ORTIZ / AFP

Argentina’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign got off to a winning start on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Uzbekistan.

Makhmudjon Makhamadjonov opened the scoring in the 23rd minute for the Asian side, but the Albiceleste came back, equalising through Alejo Veliz in the 26th minute. Valentín Carboni then pushed Argentina in front in the 41st minute.

The victory, played out at the Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago de Estero, means that the Albiceleste are top of Group A after the first round of fixtures. In the other clash, New Zealand saw off Guatemala 1-0.

Argentina now face the Central Americans on Tuesday, again in Santiago del Estero.

Saturday’s match also saw the first public announcement of VAR decisions, with French referee Francois Letexier initially awarding a penalty to Uzbekistan, before backtracking on his decision at the behest of the video team. He explained over the loudspeakers that "the final decision is: no penalty."