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15, JUN 05 17:53
Messi leads Argentina to victory
Leo Messi starred for the Argentine under 20s in their 2-0 win over Egypt in the second round of games of the World Under 20s Cup in Holland.
The Barca striker scored the first goal for the Argentineans and helped put his team back on track after their surprise 0-1 defeat to USA in the first game of the tournament.
Messi had started the first game on the bench, but his performance against Egypt showed how important he could be during this tournament. Argentina can still make the next round if they beat Germany in their final group game. The Germans are joint top with USA on 4 points after the two fought out a goalless draw.
19, JUN 05 17:50
Messi wins again
Barca's young Argentinean striker again played a key part in THE under 20 World Cup in Holland, setting up the team's goal against Germany that ensures a second spot in the group and a place in the next round.
26, JUN 05 16:41
Messi again leads Argentine youngsters to victory
MATCH STATS
ARGENTINA, 3
SPAIN, 1
Argentina: Oscar Ustari, Julio Barroso, Gustavo Cabral, Gabriel Paletta (Ezequiel Garay, m.90), Lautaro Formica, Pablo Zabaleta, Juan Manuel Torres, Rodrigo Archubi (Fernando Gago, m.63), Neri Cardozo, Lionel Messi and Pablo Vitti (Gustavo Oberman, m.46).
Spain: Biel Ribas, Molinero, Alexis, Robusté, José Enrique Zapater (Víctor, m.83), Markel, Juanfran (Gavilán, m.75), Cesc, Silva and Llorente (Jona, m.75).
Goals: 1-0, Pablo Zabaleta (18'); 1-1, Zapater (32'); 2-1, Oberman (70'); 3-1, Messi (73')
Referee: Benito Archundia (MEX)
Leo Messi led Argentina to victory over Spain in the Under-20 World Cup quarter finals with an assist and a goal in a 3-1 win.
Messi is rapidly becoming the dominant figure in the Argentine side and his team will now go on to play Brazil in the semis next Tuesday evening in what promises to be another great stage for the Barca striker to show off his precocious talents.
Argentina dominate early on
Argentina strangled the Spanish midfield from the start and were soon finding opportunities to attack themselves, with Messi having a goal disallowed for offside as early as the tenth minute. Eight minutes later, the South Americans were ahead thanks to a goal from Zabaleta. Spain hit back through Zapater after good work by Fernando Llorente and although both teams had chances to go ahead, with Messi again prominent for Argentina, it was still 1-1 at half time.
Messi makes his mark
Spain's improvement continued after the break as their midfield began to see more of possession, but it was Argentina who took their chances, first when Messi put through second half sub Oberman on 72 minutes, then two minutes later when he rounded off a speedy counterattack by scoring himself.
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