The Argentine national team defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 last night in its debut match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which was played in Group A at a packed Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero province.

Goals scored by Rosario Central striker Alejo Véliz and Italian Inter midfielder Valentín Carboni sealed the win for the Albiceleste. Their goals turned the match that had started with a score by Uzbek Makhmudjon Makhamadjonov

When the game was 1-1, the video assistant referee (VAR) reversed a call made by French referee François Letexier to give Uzbekistan a penalty kick due to a foul by Argentine captain Agustín Giay. 

Argentina U-20’s team coach Javier Mascherano said in a press conference that the 2-1 win was a result “that would boost the team’s confidence”.

The Albiceleste coach said “at times, I liked the way we played, “said Mascherano, former defensive midfielder of the national team.

“We still need to control the games. It was noticeable in the second half, when they [Uzbek players] came forward and we started to flag because we were tired,” he told the TV Pública channel.

Argentina will be back in action next Tuesday at 18:00 against Guatemala in Santiago del Estero, where New Zealand and Uzbekistan will meet earlier at 15:00. 

All games will be broadcast live on three television channels: TV Pública, DSports and TyCSports. The matches will also be available through the streaming platform of TyCsports, as well as some channels on cable operators, like Flow or Telecentro Play, but these require a subscription. 

The U-20 World Cup’s games will be played in four stadiums across Argentina, in Santiago del Estero, Mendoza and San Juan provinces and the city of La Plata, in Buenos Aires province. No matches will be played in Buenos Aires City. 

The group phase lasts until May 28. After that, comes the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, which will be played on June 11 in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Tickets for this match are already sold out, but there are still seats available for other games.