Cesare Casadei delivered an outstanding performance to propel European contenders Italy to a 3-2 victory over their South American rivals Brazil in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 Group D opener on Sunday, May 21.
The midfielder, who is currently under contract with Chelsea, played a pivotal role in Italy’s success, netting two goals and earning a penalty, which he successfully converted. Read more: Nigeria come from behind to beat Dominican Republic in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener
Casadei made his mark on the match by opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a skillfully executed header from a cross by Matteo Prati. He extended Italy’s advantage in the 35th minute, heading the ball into the net after his initial shot was saved.
Brazil managed to pull one back in the 55th minute thanks to a goal from Marcos Leonardo. Nevertheless, Casadei swiftly reestablished Italy’s two-goal lead in the 65th minute when he drew a penalty and confidently converted it himself.
Leonardo found the back of the net again in the 80th minute, creating a tense finale, but Italy managed to hold on and secure a victory in their opening game of the tournament.
Casadei’s remarkable performance served as a testament to his exceptional talent. A formidable and agile midfielder, he possesses remarkable dribbling skills and a keen eye for scoring goals. His performances have already attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, cementing his potential to become one of the tournament’s standout stars.
This triumph provides a significant boost for Italy, who hold high aspirations for their tournament campaign. With a talented squad at their disposal, they approach each match with confidence, believing they can emerge victorious against any opponent.
While Brazil may be disappointed with the outcome, they can glean valuable lessons from this game. The team boasts a wealth of young talent, and they will be eager to bounce back and make a strong statement in their next match.
Final Result: Italy 3-2 Brazil
Goals: Prati (11), Casadei (28, 35 pen), Marcos Leonardo (72, 87)
