U-20 2:1 Czech Republic

Czech got to the final playing defensive counter-attacks, making this one of the most successful campaigns that took on the dark path in international football.
However, allegiance to the dark side has its costs. After two 120 minute battles (Against Japan and Spain during knock out stages, both times Czech prevailed in PSO), the team had been severely fatigued even though they had a somewhat lucky break against Austria in Semi.

Argentina made the changes mentioned in previous article. Sigali for Cahais, Matias Sanchez for Yacob and Zarate for Di Maria.


Game started the way everybody expected, with Argentine offensives and Czech counter attacks.

Just 40 secs into the match, Kubáň's brutal tackle on Sigali (who was pushing into Czech half) resulted in the first yellow. The Spanish ref was very good. Not only did he enforce fair play with his strict rulings on the field, he also prevented unbalancing the match with ejections or excessive foul calls. Only instance that I wasn't very satisfied was when he interrupted the Argentine offensive around 70th minute with a yellow on Czech defender. If he was going to interrupt such good offensive opportunity, I expected to see a red card. Never the less, that yellow ensured that every Czech defender carried a card and had to play more cautiously.

Czech counter attacks were direct and fast at the beginning. They were very determined to play crosses, and it was quite effective at the start. Just few minutes in, they've already created genuine scoring chances within Argentine box. However, when Romero was defeated by a close ranged shot, his good friend, the goal post, again stood in the way. Romero has a incredible relationship with his goal post. God bless, may this love fair last forever :D

Czech Republic clearly won the height match-ups all around the pitch. With Cahais and Yacob both suspended, Fazio became pretty much our only starter that could compete in the air. That's why Sigali played instead of Voboril eventhough the later is probably more reliable on defense.

However, apart from dominating in the air, superior height played to Czech's disadvantage. On offense, their height restricted their mobility and agility. They couldn't capitalize on several good chances because their forwards took too long to adjust for shooting. They also blocked one of their own shots inside the Argentine box, which was one of their best chances in first half.

On offense, Argentina focused on exploiting Czech defenders' lack of agility. Especially their center backs. Their height meant there's no way they could turn on a dime, and our forwards exploited that all day long by assaulting down the center.

At the tip of Argentine spearhead was Aguero. El Kun got hold of Cahais' captain's armband today, and suddenly grew into an adult. The selfishness we saw in previous matches had disappeared. What's left was an intelligent player with superb individual abilities.

Our best chance in first half came at 22nd minute. A clever 1-2 between Aguero and Moralez inside Czech box almost pushed us ahead. Piatti and Moralez started showing signs of fatigue towards half time while Zarate was having a rough day at left center. Some hesitation inside the box also gave Czech defenders the time to tackle, and they did well getting the ball away from our players at dangerous places.

Argentine defense played well too, surrendering only 2 corners in first half. On top of that, the free kicks Czech had gotten were generally further out.

At the center of our rear was Ever Banega. There weren't any long shot from him today, but he did an exceptional job organizing our DM screen. Banega was absolutely magnificent at disrupting Czech possessions and redistributions. People thought Gago was good in Boca, wait till this man goes to europe.

Both teams kicked into high gear in second half.

Pitch dried up from the sprinkling before match. The ball started slowing down unexpectedly and surprised defenders on both sides. Attackers quickly took advantage of the condition. Moralez fired at 10 yards straight into the hands of Radek Petr. Two minutes later, Romero went through an almost identical heart attack moment after Banega letting the ball slip through.

Towards 55', Czech started attacking actively. 8 Czech players appeared together in Argentine half for the first time. At 60th minute, Martin Fenin did what no other Czechmen had done all day. He TURNED ON A DIME and took a volley from an off center spot within our box. The shot was flat and slow, but it arched just out of Romero's reach... When finally it was obvious that the end of its trajectory would be within the post, I admit, I almost cried. Fenin goal

I didn't, but not because I was strong.
The equalizer came so quickly I hardly had the time to properly react to the 0-1.


Instead of dropping into testudo. Czech kept on attacking after their goal.
Every hero needs his chance, and the chance had come for one Sergio Leonel Agüero.
It was you Aguero! You took our arms, and led us out from the valley of shadows!

Ever Banega's brilliant through ball went straight into a space left opened by the 2 Czech CB who had pushed up. Aguero got to the ball and created a breakaway right on top of Czech box.
Then it was magic...

After the equalizer, Argentina took control of the pace. Moralez suffered a cut on his forehead but got an adrenalin rush out of it. He was running all over the field and started taking shots from outside the box. These shots didn't hit their target, but they put pressure on the Czech defense, and effectively took the initiatives out of opponents' hands.

At the same time, Czech's other problems started compounding. Their attacking players started to show severer fatigue, and their defenders had each gotten a yellow by 81st minute.

Unable to find a goal, both sides began taking measurements for extra periods. Hugo Tocalli put on Acosta for tired Piatti. Czech coach Miroslav Soukup also switched on 2 fresh legs for their 2 attackers that had cramped up on the field.

Argentina had taken 10 corner kicks thus far. At 86th minute we got our 11th chance.
It was a short corner to Zarate who was standing just outside the right edge of the Czech box. He dribbled the ball into the penalty area, then lasered it at the right goal post.
Radek Petr was right there. But the strangest thing had happened. He let the ball slip pass his fingers and it went a millimeter inside the post....

Even Zarate himself couldn't believe how easily Radek Petr had let that one through. Fate has its own twists. Who would of believed that the Czech goalie could fail at such an easy stop. Who would of thought that the game winning goal could come off Zarate's?
What a farewell present from Zarate!

Zarate is a good player, and his departure from future NT is only due to his career choice and the financial needs of his family. Good luck Zarate, we won't forget you.

Czech came back twice against Japan to take their 1/8 final match into PSO. That miracle was not to be repeated today. The Triumph belonged to Argentina.

Match Highlights