U20 WC: Anderson Duarte’s Strike knocks out African Representatives – Gambia

The Gambia was eliminated from the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina on Thursday following a 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Uruguay. Both teams were reduced to ten players due to a red card for each side in the first half before Anderson Duarte’s long range effort gave Uruguay the lead in the 65th minute. African U-20 runners-up Gambia now bow out of the competition at the Round of 16 after reaching the same stage in their only previous appearance in 2007.

It was a hard fought affair between two teams who appeared to be evenly matched. The first notable moment of the match arrived close to the fifteen minute mark when Gambian forward Mansour Mbye was sent off for a hard tackle following a Video Assistant Referee review. Uruguay struggled to make their advantage count and just before halftime were reduced to ten players themselves when VAR intervened to give Luciano Rodríguez a straight red card for an elbow on Gambia left back Sainey Sanyang.

Both teams had chances with a more open match following the expulsions. Uruguay playmaker Franco González drew out Gambian goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha before crossing for a wide open Juan Cruz de los Santos but the River Plate Montevideo player directed his volley wide of the open goal. Soon after an excellent cross from Sainey Sanyang found right back Bakary Jawara but his half volley went over the bar.

In the end it was the South American side who came out on top courtesy of Duarte. The Defensor Sporting attacker collected a pass thirty yards from the Gambian goal and made a move to his left foot before driving a low shot just beyond the reach of Dampha to give Uruguay the edge.