The Atletico Madrid coach’s son scored twice in La Albiceleste’s 3-0 win over Paraguay, while the Vasco prospect came on at half-time and thrust a hitherto listless Seleção to a 5-0 thumping of Peru in the penultimate round of the South American U-20 Championship.
Those results also ensured Uruguay and Colombia, who meet in Wednesday’s final game, seized the continent’s other two tickets to New Zealand 2015, which will kick off on 30 May.
Simeone, who was born in Spain while his father Diego was playing for Atletico, reacted quickest to tap home a rebound in the 17th minute. Leonardo Rolon, whose brother Maxi is on the books at Spanish giants Barcelona and was on target in their previous victory over Brazil, doubled the lead just after the restart with a vicious, moving strike from distance.
Argentina goalkeeper Augusto Batalla pulled off an acrobatic save to deny Luis Amarilla getting Paraguay’s first goal on the concluding phase, but it was all Humberto Grondona’s team thereafter.
Simeone had a sublime 75th-minute chip from outside the box ruled out for handball. Within minutes, however, the River Plate youngster had got his ninth goal in eight appearances at Uruguay 2015 – five more than his nearest rival on the scoring chart.
Brazil started with captain Marlon on the bench nursing a fractured nose, and they went in goalless with Peru at the break.
Four goals from substitutes, within 25 minutes of the restart, nevertheless had Alexandre Gallo’s side cantering to victory. Nathan stabbed home the opener from a rebound, before Thalles dispatched two thunderous drives from distance to make it 3-0.
Kennedy then collected the ball on the edge of the Brazil box, carried it upfield and threaded a delightful ball in behind the Peruvian backline for Malcom, who conned the keeper with step-overs and stroked it into an empty net. Leo Pereira completed the rout, heading home a Malcom free-kick.
Six-time champions Argentina and Brazil have, between them, won 11 of the 19 editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In the last match of the day, Uruguay and Colombia played out a scoreless draw.
Although the four qualifiers for New Zealand 2015 are now determined, the race for the 2016 Olympic Football Tournament remains alive. Aside from Brazil who qualify as hosts, one automatic spot remains up for grabs, while a second team will play-off against a CONCACACF nation for one final berth.
Story courtesy of FIFA. For more on the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 click here

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