New Zealand’s FIFA U-20 World Cup journey came to an end this morning as they were beaten 4-0 by the USA in their Last 16 clash in Mendoza, Argentina. 

CONCACAF qualifying winners the USA came into the tie with a formidable record, winning all of their three group games without conceding a goal. 

A win for New Zealand would see them progress to the quarter-finals at the tournament for the first time after exiting at the same stage at the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019. 

New Zealand had the first real effort on target in the 5th minute. Ben Wallace’s cross found Norman Garbett but his shot was deflected off a USA defender allowing Chelsea’s Gabriel Slonina in goal to make the save. 

The USA opened the scoring in the 15th minute. A long range shot from Owen Wolff slipped past Kees Sims in goal. 

Despite the USA having a number of other chances the New Zealand defence held firm to keep it 1-0 at the break.  

In the 61st minute the USA doubled their lead. San Jose Earthquakes Cade Cowell, who has also played for the senior USA national side, with a great finish. 

With New Zealand pushing for a goal to get back into the game, the USA caught them on the counter in the 75th minute. Justin Che with a close range finish. 

A set piece finished by Rokas Pukstas 9 minutes from time wrapped up the victory for the USA. 

Speaking after the game, New Zealand U-20 head coach Darren Bazeley was proud of his team’s effort this tournament: 

“It’s been a really great experience for our players. We’ve had some really good moments within the tournament.

“I thought today, I didn’t think it was a 4-0 game. Yes, USA were a better team than us and I felt like they were really clinical in moments. I felt like we tried to play out, we tried to do some really good things. We had some moments where we got into some good areas and we didn’t quite have that clinical finish…

“...We competed throughout, nobody let their heads go down. They kept trying, kept trying to score all the way until the end of the game and potentially we might look back and think we could have had one or two goals. But overall they are a good team and they were better than us today”. 


New Zealand Starting XI

Kees Sims
Isaac Hughes
Finn Surman
Fin Conchie
Oli Colloty
Jay Herdman
Norman Garbett
Finn Linder
Dan Mckay
Ben Wallace 
Lukas Kelly-Heald


Final Score:

New Zealand – 0 
USA - 4

Article added: Wednesday 31 May 2023