Ecuador U20 vs South Korea U20 Predictions

Can the champions of South America continue their bid for glory in Poland this summer? They are through to the last four at the Under 20 World Cup, as this golden generation takes their first steps into international football. Ecuador could explode onto the scene with success in the coming days as they are considered the favourites to make the showpiece clash ahead of the semi-final with South Korea on Tuesday night.

Ecuador are fresh from winning the battle of the Americas at the weekend. They beat the North American champions the USA in the last eight, which pushed them through to this clash with South Korea. Ecuador are expected to claim the victory, given that they’ve won their last three matches at the tournament. They’ve done that in style, having seen off the USA and Uruguay in their last two games thanks to two solid displays in front of goal.

South Korea failed to get this close to glory as hosts two years ago, as they went out in the last 16 to Portugal. This time around they’ve grown into the tournament, which kicked off with them losing to the Portuguese. Back then the Portuguese were considered one of the obvious favourites for glory, but fast forward a couple of weeks and it’s South Korea who are the team left standing. That’s thanks to their displays improving at every turn, especially going forward.

South Korea lost their opening game 1-0, but since then they’ve scored in every game. That led to their dramatic 3-3 draw with Senegal in the last game, which South Korea edged on penalties. They will be looking to test Ecuador going forward, especially given the issues which the South American side have had in their matches at this tournament. They’ve kept a single clean sheet in five games here, which came against a Mexico side who were basically already eliminated.

The one thing Ecuador do have going for them is their scoring form. They’ve been finding the net consistently in Poland, despite star striker Leonardo Campana failing to deliver at this tournament. With one of South America’s up and coming forwards not scoring, Ecuador have adapted and they keep finding the net. We’re confident they’ll do the same against a South Korea side who drew 3-3 in what should have been their closest game of the tournament so far. Both teams to score is our prediction for this one.