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The Cuban U-20 football team said farewell to their World Cup dream after losing to Australia 3 goals to 1 in Santiago, Chile.
The Asian champions dominated the match against a compact Cuban defense.
Max Caputo at the 21st minute and Daniel Bennie at the 39th minute set a solid lead for the Socceroos during the first half.
In the second half, the Caribbean team had possession and better chances, but Caputo's second goal right after the restart made the match very difficult.
Alessio Raballo found the reward for his many efforts in the 63rd minute following a cross from Samuel Rodríguez.
Despite the match starting, the score remained the same, and the final whistle marked the conclusion of the commendable World Cup experience for the Cubans, who, after opening with a loss against Argentina, had achieved a historic draw against Italy.
“we knew it was very difficult understanding that we probably had the most complex group, but we still managed to draw with Italy and score in all the matches,” said the official Jit after the match, the Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira.
"I am impressed with the attitude of the young players, who did not give up despite facing opponents of such high caliber, which was our goal. They scored four goals, and importantly, they demonstrated that there is talent for the future that can contribute to the senior national team," he concluded
For his part, Alessio Raballo, the Cuban scorer of the night, expressed having mixed feelings.
"Of course, I'm happy to score, but I would have preferred that the team won. I'm proud of my teammates who gave their all," he commented.
Historic draw against Italy
On Wednesday, the young Cubans achieved a historic result against Italy after an epic comeback in the second half, leaving the Caribbean team with real chances to advance to the round of 16 for the first time.
The match started with Italian dominance, and Cuba found themselves down by two goals before halftime. The Caribbean team appeared disconnected, but everything changed in the locker room.
At the end of the first half, Italy suffered the dismissal of Jamal Iddrissou due to a second yellow card, leaving the Europeans a man short and opening a window of hope for the Cubans.
The second half was completely different. Jade Quiñones, named Player of the Match, led a Cuban attack that kept pressing with speed and skill. At the 70-minute mark, after a review by VAR, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Cuba.
The one in charge was Michael Camejo, who scored with composure despite the pressure of the moment. This goal meant much more than just a consolation: it reignited the spirit of the team and the fans, who chanted from the stands as if they were at home.
Minutes later, in another play inside the Italian penalty area, Didier Reinoso was knocked down. The main referee initially did not see it, but after a review in VAR, he awarded a second penalty to Cuba. Once again, Camejo took on the responsibility, and with a delicate touch, he scored the historic equalizer, becoming the hero of the night.
"A few months ago, I was recovering from a knee operation and thought I wouldn’t be able to play in this World Cup. Scoring two goals against Italy is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. One day I will tell my son, who is about to be born," Camejo declared tearfully to JIT.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Elimination in the U-20 World Cup
How did Cuba perform in the U-20 World Cup?
Cuba was eliminated from the U-20 World Cup after losing to Australia 3-1. Despite the defeat, the team had standout moments, such as the historic draw against Italy, which showed that there is talent for the future of Cuban football.
What did the Cuban coach say about the participation in the Under-20 World Cup?
The Cuban coach, Pedro Pablo Pereira, expressed that, although they knew the group was complex, he was pleased with the players' attitude, as they did not give up and showed that there is talent for the future, which could contribute to the national team.
What did Cuba's draw against Italy in the U-20 World Cup mean?
The 2-2 draw against Italy was a historic result for Cuba, as it is the first time a Cuban team has earned a point in a U-20 World Cup, fueling optimism for future qualifications.
Who were the standout players for Cuba in the match against Italy?
Jade Quiñones was named Player of the Match for his leadership in the attack, while Michael Camejo stood out by scoring two penalties that allowed Cuba to equalize the score and earn a valuable point against Italy.
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