BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Israel tied its second match of the Under-20 soccer World Cup on Wednesday, meaning it will need a win in the final group stage game on Saturday to have a chance of advancing.
The national squad drew 1-1 with Senegal, opening the scoring in La Plata in the 58th with an own goal by Babacar Ndiaye but conceding to an equalizer by Pape Demba Diop in the 80th.
Israel lost its first-ever game in the tournament on Sunday, after a late winner from Colombia.
Colombia now leads Group C after a 2-1 win against Japan. Riku Yamane opened the scoring for Japan on the half-hour, but Yaser Asprilla and Tomás Ángel led the Colombians to their second victory with goals in the 53rd and 59th.
Colombia has six points after two rounds, three clear of Japan and five ahead of Senegal and Israel.
The top two teams from each group after three matches will advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Israel will square off against Japan on Saturday, meaning that to advance, the Israelis must win and hope Senegal doesn’t beat Colombia.
Brazil’s Jean Pedroso, right, scores his side’s third goal against Dominican Republic during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Mendoza Stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (AP/Natacha Pisarenko)
Elsewhere in the tournament, Brazil trounced Dominican Republic 6-0 on Wednesday to keep alive its chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
The Brazilians are 1-1 and three points behind unbeaten Group D leader Nigeria, which beat Italy 2-0.
Nigeria will next face Brazil on Saturday and Italy will take on the Dominicans, setting up the prospect of goal difference being a decisive factor for qualification.
The top two teams in each group plus the four best third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16.
The Brazilian team, which lost 3-2 to Italy in its first group match, did not face any resistance from Dominican Republic throughout the match in Mendoza, with goals coming from Sávio (37th minute), Marcos Leonardo (38), Jean (57), Giovane (82) and in stoppage time from Marlon Gomes and Matheus Martins.
Earlier in the same city, Salim Lawal’s diving header gave Nigeria the lead in the 61st minute and Jude Sunday sealed the victory against Italy in stoppage time, piling pressure on a team that started the tournament among the favorites.
