The USMNT U-20 made a statement in the opening match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup at Chile, delivering a dominant performance against New Caledonia. The team recorded one of the largest victories in its history, scoring an impressive nine goals. Such a commanding win set the tone for the tournament and highlighted the squad’s attacking potential.
Without a doubt, Benjamin Cremaschi emerged as the standout player in an otherwise dominant USMNT U-20 performance. Under his leadership, the team sent a strong message to all tournament competitors, securing a historic win and establishing themselves as serious contenders for the championship.
Historic win: USMNT U-20 dominates New Caledonia
In the tournament, only two teams represent Oceania: New Zealand and New Caledonia. Both sides suffered defeats on the opening day in Chile, but New Caledonia faced a particularly harsh test against the USMNT U-20. The American team dominated the match from start to finish, leaving no doubt about their superiority.
The USMNT U-20 stormed out of the gates in heroic fashion, taking control of the first half with an astonishing flurry of goals. Benjamin Cremaschi opened the scoring twice in quick succession (2′, 4′) before adding another in the 37th minute, while Niko Tsakiris netted a spectacular strike in the 7th minute. Frankie Westfield and Nolan Norris also joined the fireworks, leaving New Caledonia reeling and setting the tone for a historic victory.
In the second half, the pace of the match eased, but the USMNT U-20 maintained their dominance. Taha Habroune extended the lead with a goal in the 68th minute. New Caledonia managed a goal of honor through Wapae Antoine Rene Simane in the 70th minute, before Cole Campbell sealed the 9-1 victory for the Americans just three minutes later.
The next challenge for the United States in the tournament.
The 9-1 victory marks the second-largest score in U-20 FIFA World Cup history. The record remains with Norway, who stunned Honduras 12-0 in the 2019 group stage, powered by an Erling Haaland masterclass that saw him score nine of the team’s twelve goals. The USMNT’s dominant performance now ranks among the most memorable blowouts in tournament history.
The USMNT U-20 now turns its focus to their next challenge against France, a crucial clash that will decide the leadership of Group E. The French team kicked off their tournament with a narrow 2-1 victory over South Africa, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive matchup.
The thrilling match in Rancagua, Chile, will be remembered for the USMNT U-20’s commanding performance and clear statement of intent. The young American squad demonstrated that this new generation is ready to compete at a world-class level on the biggest stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their dominance sent a strong message to every team in the tournament.
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