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FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005

  • Teams: 24
  • When: 10 June 2005 to 02 July 2005
  • Final: 02 July 2005
  • Matches: 52
  • Goals Scored: 143 (average 2.8 per match)
  • Attendance: 502698 (average 9667)
      • Winner: Argentina
      • Runners-Up: Nigeria
      • Third: Brazil
      • Fourth: Morocco
      • adidas Golden Ball: Lionel MESSI (ARG)
          • adidas Golden Shoe: Lionel MESSI (ARG)
              • FIFA Fair Play award: Colombia

Overview

Magic Messi sparks high drama in the Lowlands
After losing out to the USA in their first match, Argentina never looked back as they laid claim to a fifth title at the fifteenth instalment of the FIFA World Youth Championship. Pre-tournament sensation Lionel Messi could only look on hopefully from the bench while his mates struggled against the Americans in their opener. But after coming on at the half, he made an immediate impact and never spent another minute off the pitch.