It took only 9.6 seconds for forward Amadou Sagna to score the first goal of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 – the fastest goal in the history of the competition – as Senegal sailed ahead of Tahiti and never looked back, winning 3-0 at Lublin Stadium.

The Young Lions of Teranga were on their game from the off, piling on pressure and seizing control with a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes. Sagna wasn’t done turning heads after the first minute, either. The 19-year-old netted a hat-trick in the Group A opener, scoring one final time in the 50th minute to secure all three points and a perfect start for Senegal at Poland 2019.
Senegal will next face Colombia on 26 May, while Tahiti take on Poland that same day.

Mexico 1-2 Italy

Italy got off to a flying start at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 thanks to an impressive, quick opening goal scored by Davide Frattesi. The Italians were especially dominant in the first 20 minutes, but Mexico gradually grew into the game. El Tri capitalised on poor defending from Italy on a corner kick as Roberto de la Rosa headed in the equaliser a few minutes before half-time.

Gli Azzurrini, who finished third place at the 2017 U-20 World Cup, took back control of proceedings after the break and eventually found the winning goal through Luca Ranieri.
Italy will next face Ecuador on Sunday, while Mexico will meet Japan on the same day.

Japan 1-1 Ecuador

South American champions Ecuador faced a tough opening-day challenge against perennial FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers Japan in Bydgoszcz. La Tricolor took the lead right before half-time, albeit rather fortuitously. From a free-kick, Japan goalkeeper Tomoya Wakahara punched his clearance directly into team-mate Kyosuke Tagawa’s face and the ball ricocheted into the goal.

However, Japan fought their way back into the game with a large amount of the credit due to Wakahara, who saved Jordan Rezabala’s penalty early in the second half to keep his team in with a chance. And that moment proved to be just what the Samurai Blue needed as Kota Yamada equalised in the 68th minute, steering his shot home from close range after Ecuador keeper Moises Ramirez failed to clear his lines.

Japan will face Mexico in Gdynia next on 26 May, while Ecuador will stay in Bydgoszcz and play Group B leaders Italy on the same day.

WORLD: World Cup U20 Results

Mexico U20 – Italy U20 1:2

Tahiti U20 – Senegal U20 0:3

Japan U20 – Ecuador U20 1:1

Poland U20 – Colombia U20 0:2

Next Fixtures
Friday May 24, 2019
17:00 Honduras U20 – New Zealand U20

17:00 Qatar U20 – Nigeria U20

19:30 Ukraine U20 – USA U20

19:30 Uruguay U20 – No

Culled from Kick442