2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup: Italy Favored at Odds of +275 Ahead of Quarterfinals

• Azzuri meet outsiders Mali for semifinal place
• Senegal lead African charge as second-favorites
• Shocks as six leading nations fall by wayside

Italy are leading the way towards glory at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup as they prepare to face outsiders Mali at the quarterfinal stage in Tychy, Poland on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 12:30 pm EST.

The competition has been blown wide-open with the elimination of no fewer than six of the leading nations who were favored to triumph at the prestigious youth competition.

FIFA Under-20 World Cup Odds

Italians Began as Seventh in Line

They all began the competition more highly-rated than Italy, who were seventh-favorites at +1400 before the action kicked off. Their last-eight opponents, Mali, are now seen at +1000.

Senegal are now ranked as second-favorites to win the competition at +450 after starting the competition as the bookies tenth-most-fancied side at +2100.

The South Americans Colombia and Ecuador are joint third-favorites at +600.

They meet the +1000 outsiders Korea Republic in Bielsko-Biala on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 2.30 pm EST.

#Italy will play #Mali in the Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals, as the Africans caused an upset by eliminating #Argentina on penalties https://t.co/c8072ciiy0 #U20WC #U20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NOIb90EpxS

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) June 4, 2019

The South Americans Colombia and Ecuador are joint third-favorites at +600. The Colombians meet the +900 rated Ukraine in the opening quarterfinal in Lodz on Friday, June 8, 2019 at 9:30 am EST. Panama were beaten 4-1 by Ukraine in the last 16.

Tough Last Eight Test for USA

In the remaining quarterfinal, the USA are rated at +700 as they prepare to face  impressive Ecuador in Gdynia on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 11:30 am EST.

Italy defeated the hosts, Poland 1-0 in the last 16 knockout game after beating Mexico and Ecuador and drawing with Japan to win Group B.

Fifa under 20 world cup:
Mali edge Argentina on penalties to reach quarters #JKLive pic.twitter.com/ZSzyOGmk48

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 5, 2019

Mali went through with a shock penalty shootout victory in the last 16 against original fourth-favorites Argentina. It was 2-2 after extra-time with the African nation succeeding 5-4 in the spot-kick decider.

Ahead of Friday’s first quarterfinal game, Colombia progressed by winning a penalty shootout 5-4 against New Zealand following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.

Favorites France Fell to Stars and Stripes

The USA won a thrilling last 16 game against tournament favorites France 3-2 with the winner coming just seven minutes from the end.

Ecuador earned the right to meet the Americans with a 3-1 victory against Uruguay, who began the competition as sixth-favorites at +1200.

👍 on @YouTube: Top 10 Under 20 Best Football Player in World cup-2019|| FIFA Football World cup-2019 https://t.co/7AyR29OTdk

— Pinak Das (@d85094babd144ae) June 5, 2019

Senegal were the winners of Group A. They then beat Nigeria 2-1 in the last 16 to earn their tie against Korea Republic.

The Asian side were second in Group F and then overcame Japan 1-0 to advance beyond the last 16.

Although favorites Italy have not been free-scoring at the competition with just four goals in four games, they are undefeated and have conceded only once.

Senegalese Have Scored Seven Times

Second-favorites Senegal scored five and did not concede once in the group stage. Their tally in four games is now seven for and one against.

https://twitter.com/TheWorldGame/status/1135763089373028352

Jointly-favored third, Colombia hit eight goals in the group stage and conceded two before their 1-1 draw after extra-time in the last 16 against New Zealand.

Ecuador, also jointly-favored third, scored only twice in their three group games but conceded only twice. But they were more prolific as they put three past the Uruguayan defense in the last 16.

FIFA U-20 World Cup Pick: Senegal +450