Italy downs France to reach U20 World Cup quarters with US

Italy defeated France 2-1 to move into the Under-20 World Cup quarterfinals yesterday and partially avenge losing the final of the 2016 Under-19 European Championship. France won that final 4-0, but in Cheonan it conceded the first goal in each half to Italy and struggled to catch up. After Andrea Favilli broke down the right side and his cross was headed home emphatically by Guiseppe Panico for 2-1, France almost equalised moments later. But Italy goalkeeper Andrea Zaccagno made a sensational save to keep a fierce Jean Kevin Augustin volley out. Italy moves on to face Zambia on Monday in Suwon. The United States thrashed New Zealand 6-0 in Incheon with Josh Sargent notching his fourth goal of the tournament. On Sunday, the US will meet Venezuela, which has yet to concede a goal. A last-minute goal by substitute Ronaldo Cisneros lifted Mexico past Senegal 1-0, and into a quarterfinal against England on Monday. Manchester United fears it will lose out to Real Madrid and Barcelona when it comes to signing the best young players on the continent after Britain leaves the European Union.

Clubs within the EU and European Economic Area receive an exemption from FIFA regulations, allowing them to transfer 16- and 17-year-old players between countries in the region. But after Brexit, British clubs may only be allowed to sign foreign players over the age of 18, like the rest of the world, unless a settlement is agreed before the anticipated March 2019 departure from the EU.

“There’s a practical, operational issue around Brexit,” United chief financial officer Cliff Baty told a KPMG football finance forum in London on Wednesday, “with regard to bringing in players from Europe and losing competitive advantage from the likes of ourselves against Real Madrid and Barcelona.