France U20 – Uruguay U20 13.07.2013

France and Uruguay meet for the first time in the World Cup U20 final.

Both sides have been in a brilliant form at the tournament, but the Frenchmen are considered favourites to lift the trophy.

As expected France U20 reached first ever World Cup final, by beating Ghana in the semis 2:1. Tricolore defeated Ghana once more at the tournament, two minutes before halftime Thauvin was set up by Bahebeck to open the scoring. Nevertheless, the Ghanaians battled back and totally deserved to score the equalizer in 47th minute thanks to Ebenezer Assifuahˈs fine shot. Ghana then missed a few chances to take a lead and Thauvin found the net again by beating Antwi with a low shot at the near post in the 74th. With the likes of Pogba, Sanogo, Kondogbia and Thauvin in the squad, the young Frenchmen are considered favourites to lift their first ever World Cup trophy. France have recorded no more than one defeat at the tournament, with the team winning in the last 16 round clash (Turkey 4:1), quarter-finals (Uzbekistan) and semi-finals (Ghana) after 90 minutes. I believe that France go into this final full of confidence and I am tempted to back them to clinch their first ever title at the World Cup.

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Uruguay were on the verge of elimination in the semi-final clash against Iraq, but Gonzalo Bueno equalized in the 87th minute and Uruguay drew with the Iraqis. Eventually the Uruguayans won the penalty shootout 7:6 to reach the final of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey. Runner-up in 1997 faces a more difficult task in the final of the tournament as they take on in-form France side. Uruguay lost their opening game at the World Cup to Croatia, but the team has raised their form and won five consecutive games against New Zeland (2:0), Uzbekistan (4:0), Nigeria (2:1), Spain (1:0) and Iraq (7:6 after penalty shoot out). The team has conceded no more than three goals in six matches meaning that Juan Verzeri is likely to adopt another defense-minded approach in the final. Nevertheless, France are capable of breaking Uruguayˈs defense and I do not think that there is a big value in betting on the South Americans in the final.