Tournament favourites Argentina faced a stern test in their first match of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, when they were held to a 2-2 draw with minnows Panama.
Argentina went into the tournament widely tipped as one of the favourites to go all the way in the tournament while Panama were looking to give themselves a good showing in New Zealand.
Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correra gave Argentina the lead twice in the 14th and 79th minute but Panama fought back in quick succession each time with goals from Jhamal Rodriguez and Fidel Escobar to claim only their second ever point at the U20 showpiece.
It was Panama who started the brightest in the damp affair in Wellington with Rodriguez causing trouble for the Argentine defence. Despite the pressure, Correra gave Argentina the lead 14 minutes in, Tomas Martinez whipped a good ball into the area and the Atletico striker was there to hit it first time past Jaime De Garcia to put the favourites ahead.
However five minutes later Panama were level in spectacular fashion. Not one to be outshone, Rodriguez picked up the ball 30 yards from goal with no pressure from the Argentine defence he hit a blistering shot that swerved right into the top corner that 'keeper Augusto Batalla could do absolutely nothing about.
The sides were locked going into the break but Batalla was called upon straight away at the beginning of the second when he produced a great save in the 47th minute to keep the scores level.
The game died down slightly going into the final 20 minutes of the tie until De Garcia was called upon to produce to decent saves from close range from Correa to keep the scores at one a piece.
With 11 minutes left, Argentina took the lead again. Argentina caught out their opponents on the break with De Garcia coming flying off his line but Correra was there to side-foot it into an empty net for what looked to be the winning goal.
However with six minutes left Panama got back into once again when Escobar hit a half volley from Carlos Small’s cross into the back of the net to level proceedings.
They could of took the lead only as minute later when Carlos Small was through one-on-one with Batalla, but Small curled just beyond the post but Panama will be thrilled with that point which puts them in a good position with other teams Ghana and Austria.
Argentina will be disappointed that they couldn’t get three points from their first match of the tournament. But will positive going forward especially with Correra who was hotly tipped pre-tournament as one of the names to watch in New Zealand and looks to be living up to that expectation which could only be a positive for the Argentine’s.
Panama will be ecstatic with a point especially as it is was from one of the favourites for the tournament, after that result they will be filled with confidence ahead of their crucial games with Ghana and Austria and will be looking to possibly finish in the second qualifying position in group B.