Sunday 03 November 2019, 21:48

Argentina dispatch Tajikistan, finish group stage unbeaten

  • Argentina put away Tajikistan 3-1 in Vitoria

  • La Albiceleste finish second in Group E

  • Tajikistan's Brazil 2019 journey ends

Argentina endured a late charge and downed Tajikistan 3-1 in their Group E finale on Sunday at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™. The result sees the South Americans finish level on points with Spain at the top of the group but bumped to second by goal differential. They will next face Paraguay in the Round of 16.

Argentina [[flag-arg-xs]]

Head coach Pablo Aimar made six changes to his side that defeated Cameroon on Thursday. After a ponderous start that produced only one shot attempt in the opening half-hour, La Albiceleste sprung to life in the 38th minute. Alan Velasco swung an inch-perfect cross from the right side that Franco Orozco headed home at the far post. Orozco completed his brace in the 78th minute by turning in substitute Matias Godoy's service at the near post. The third Argentinian goal featured a sumptuous, pirouetting backheel pass from Matias Palacios, which Godoy made sure did not go to waste in the 89th minute.

Tajikistan [[flag-tjk-xs]]

The Asian runners-up made a brave effort, and the tears shed on the pitch by a handful of their players after the final whistle were a clear indicator of how much the match meant to them. Hard-pressed to find anything going forward, they were handed a lifeline in the 80th minute when Amadoni Kamalov latched onto a deflected pass near the penalty area and drew a foul attempting to round the goalkeeper. Rustam Soirov converted in the 81st minute to halve the deficit, but Tajikistan were unable to generate any more meaningful chances. This marks the end of their Brazil 2019 experience.

Up next

Round of 16 [[flag-esp-xs]] Spain-Senegal [[flag-sen-xs]] (6 November, Goiania/Serrinha, 16:30 local time) [[flag-par-xs]] Paraguay-Argentina [[flag-arg-xs]] (7 November, Vitoria/Cariacica, 20:00 local time)