Man City wonderkid Claudio Echeverri stars as Argentina U20s demolish fierce rivals Brazil in historic victory

Argentina wasted no time asserting dominance, finding the back of the net three times within the opening 11 minutes. Ian Subiabre opened the scoring in the sixth minute, setting the stage for Echeverri to double the lead just two minutes later. The third goal came in quick succession as Brazil’s Igor Serrote inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, leaving the Brazilian side reeling. Echeverri scored his second in the 54th minute while Agustin Ruberto and Santiago Hidalgo completed the rout.

Reflecting on the game, Echeverri expressed his delight with the team’s performance and said: “We did an amazing job, we were ready for this. We are always motivated to play against Brazil. We will not relax, we need to keep improving."

City secured Echeverri’s signature from River Plate in January 2024, with the agreement allowing the Argentine club to retain him on loan until the end of the year. However, with his loan spell having concluded in December, the Premier League champions are reportedly keen to integrate him into their first-team squad in January.

The victory was not only a testament to Argentina’s attacking prowess but also a significant step toward their goal of securing one of the top four spots in the championship. These coveted positions guarantee qualification for the U20 World Cup, set to take place in September in Chile.

As Echeverri continues to shine on the international stage, his stock as one of football’s brightest prospects only rises. He will next be in action against Colombia on Sunday evening in the next match of the U-20 South American Championship.