Benjamin Cremaschi Shines with Brace as Niko Tsakiris Scores to Propel U.S. U-20 Men to 3-0 Victory Over Italy and Secure World Cup Quarterfinal Spot
U.S. U-20 Men’s Team Triumphs Over Italy with 3-0 Victory in Rancagua
Key Moments in the U.S. Victory Against Italy
The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team secured a decisive 3-0 win over Italy during the Round of 16 match at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile. Captain Benjamin Cremaschi opened the scoring with a 15th-minute goal, followed by Niko Tsakiris’s superb 79th-minute free kick and Cremaschi’s final strike in stoppage time.
U.S. Advances to Quarterfinals
This victory marks the U.S.’s advancement to their fifth consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarterfinal. They will face the winner of the Morocco vs. Korea Republic match on Sunday, October 12. Head coach Marko Mitrović made significant changes to the lineup following a previous 2-1 loss to South Africa, which appeared to rejuvenate the team’s performance.
Game Highlights
- Early Challenges: Italy nearly scored in the eighth minute with a dangerous cross by Mattia Mosconi, but it was well-defended by the U.S. goalkeeper Adam Beaudry.
- First Goal: Cremaschi scored the opening goal in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a creative setup from a corner kick.
- Solid Defense: The U.S. defense, led by Beaudry’s three crucial saves, held firm against Italy’s aggressive plays.
- Brilliant Set Piece: Niko Tsakiris netted a spectacular free kick, illustrating U.S. prowess in set pieces.
- Final Goal: In stoppage time, Cremaschi scored again, sealing Italy’s fate and advancing the U.S. to the quarterfinals.
Record-Breaking Performances
Cremaschi’s two goals extended his tally to five for the tournament, setting a new record for goals in a single U-20 World Cup by a U.S. player. Tsakiris also added to his impressive performance history with his third tournament goal. Goalkeeper Adam Beaudry achieved his second clean sheet of the World Cup.
Match Statistics and Strategy
| Category | USA | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 10 | 7 |
| Shots on Goal | 5 | 3 |
| Saves | 3 | 2 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 8 |
The U.S. team demonstrated an effective balance of strong offense and resilient defense. Despite Italy’s pressing tactics, the U.S. maintained composure and capitalized on their scoring opportunities.
The win against Italy not only solidifies the USA’s reputation in youth football on the international stage but also sets a promising tone for the remainder of their 2025 campaign.
