FIFA U-20 World Cup Semifinals Odds & Preview: Israel on Improbable Run
First-Time Winner Incoming
Israel on Improbable Run
None of the four teams remaining in the FIFA U-20 World Cup have ever won the tournament. So, the U-20 World Cup will produce a first-time winner and has been full of drama so far. In their first-ever appearance, Israel are in the semifinals and knocked out Brazil U-20 in the quarterfinals. Israel will take on Uruguay on Thursday in La Plata, Argentina. Later in the day, Italy U-20 clash with South Korea U-20 in the second semifinal. South Korea reached the final in 2019, while the Italians are in their third straight semifinal. With two intriguing matches on the schedule, let’s run through the FIFA U-20 World Cup Semifinals odds.
Semifinals Matches
⚽Uruguay U-20 vs Israel U-20⚽
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The first of Thursday’s semifinals matches features Uruguay U-20 vs. Israel U-20. Uruguay advanced to the semis by defeating USA U-20, 2-0. Despite USA’s domination in possession, Uruguay took their chance on a counter attack in the first half to take the lead. Following Anderson Duarte’s goal, Uruguay got on the scoresheet again in the second half.
This time, it was through a USA own goal and Uruguay’s Randall Rodriguez kept a clean sheet on the other end.
Israel faced a formidable foe on their quarterfinal World Cup standings as they took on Brazil U-20. Brazil took a lead in the match but Israel fought back.
The same story played out in extra time as Brazil struck first but Israel responded. Underdogs Israel then went in front on a brilliant individual goal from Dor David Turgeman.
They had a chance to put the game beyond reach in the second period of extra time but missed two penalties in the span of two minutes. Still, Israel hung on to qualify for the semis.
Now, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Semifinals odds price Uruguay U-20 as -120 ATS and moneyline favorites. Israel, who also knocked out Uzbekistan in the round of 16, are 0.5 goal underdogs. Israel +0.5 sits at -110 odds and the underdogs show +325 odds to win the match.
Uruguay have kept clean sheets in four of their five matches in the tournament as under 2.5 goals display -140 odds. Both Israel and Uruguay have scored in all of their matches, though. Meanwhile a draw comes in at +250 odds here.
The match will go into extra time in penalties in the case of a 90-minute draw. Overall, Uruguay are -230 favorites to advance and Israel are priced at +180 odds to continue their run.
⚽Italy U-20 vs South Korea U-20⚽
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Italy U-20 are the favorites to win the U-20 World Cup, at +110 odds, and it’s not hard to see why. They’ve got a talented roster with the likes of Empoli’s Tommaso Baldanzi and Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei.
Casadei leads the tournament with six goals so far and found the net in Italy’s 3-1 win over Colombia in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Baldanzi added a goal and two assists as the Azzurri cruised to the semis. Now, Italy face South Korea U-20 on their World Cup schedule.
South Korea aren’t to be taken lightly as they routinely produce excellent young talents. The U-20 Taegeuk Warriors made the final in 2019 and they’re the only remaining team without a loss in the tournament. South Korea took down Nigeria, who defeated Italy in the group stage, 1-0 in the quarters.
Seok-Hyun Choi scored the winning header in extra time and also scored the winner vs. Ecuador in the round of 16. Korea’s Seung-won Lee also leads the tournament with four assists.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup Semifinals Odds price Italy as one-goal favorites here at +105 to cover. The Italians are also -165 moneyline favorites as South Korea’s moneyline shows a +425 price. Both teams have proven to be susceptible to conceding goals as they’ve allowed an average of at least one goal per game.
Over 2.5 goals display -120 odds here as Italy have scored at least twice in four of their five matches. A draw also comes in at +300 odds as Italy are priced at -325 odds to advance to their first-ever final. Meanwhile, underdogs South Korea sit at +235 odds to make consecutive finals.
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