Mendoza, Argentina – Honduras narrowly fell 2-1 to Gambia to open their 2023 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup campaign in Group F on Monday night at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.
Just 22 seconds into the match Gambia held a 1-0 lead when Adama Bojang scored from outside the area, but Honduras answered right back in the 5’ and evened the score at 1-1.
- Advertisement -
The Catrachos recovered possession deep in the Gambia area and Isaac Castillo floated in a cross from the right for Marco Aceituno to steer a header into net for the equalizer.
After the frantic start, the two teams settled into the match and it stayed level going into the second half during which Honduras DF Geremy Rodas made a spectacular goal-line clearance in the 71’ to keep things tied.
Juergen Garcia in the Honduras GK made several big stops going into the final minutes, but Gambia’s pressure finally gave away in the 84’ with Bojang’s second of the night to complete the 2-1 scoreline.
Both the United States and Guatemala will return to action on Tuesday with their second matches of the group stage.
The U.S. will be out to claim another three points in Group B against Fiji at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan.
A second half stoppage time strike from Jonathan Gomez earned the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship winners a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening match, and now a win against a Fiji side that fell 4-0 to Slovakia on Saturday would all but secure their place in the next round.
After a heartbreaking late 1-0 loss to New Zealand to open their campaign in Group A, Guatemala will look to regroup against host nation Argentina at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.
The Chapines certainly had their fair share of chances in their first match, but were unable to convert and now will look to bounce back against Argentina, who emerged victorious 2-1 against Uzbekistan in their opening match.
