Yaya Sanogo and Guillermo Varela will face off as France and Uruguay proceed to the final.
The World Under-20 Championships has certainly been an exciting tournament and last night was once again was no different as the semi-finals got under way.
The first game saw the French representative side take on Ghana; both of whom hotly tipped to do well in the competition before it began.
As it is, France have now become the favourites to take the title after Spain exited in the quarter-finals and considering the players they had on show it was no surprise that this consideration was the public consensus.
And indeed France are through to the final; although it was not easy.
This time it was the turn of former Newcastle United and Arsenal transfer target Florian Thauvin to play the hero. The midfielder bagged a brace for Les Bleus and despite a goal from Ebenezer Assifuah-Inkoom and a red card for French defender Samuel Umtiti the French held on to book their place in the final at the Turk Telekom Arena on Saturday.
And the general belief was that they would face Uruguay in the final and in the end that prophecy came to pass; but by no means with the ease many believed the South American conquerors of Spain would advance.
They faced the unfancied Iraq side and for 88 minutes it looked as if the Mesopotamian Lion Cubs were on their way to a historic final.
Baghdad FC defender Ali Adnan scored for Iraq on 34 minutes and it was not until two minutes before the end of normal time that Uruguay saved their blushes; with substitute Gonzalo Bueno bagging the equalising goal.
The game went to penalties and in the end it was Uruguay who went through; 7-6 on penalties.
Which leaves us with a match-up between the two nations containing the only summer signings for both Manchester United and Arsenal this season.
The Gunners new boy Yaya Sanogo has had a good tournament so far; finding the net regularly and holding the line well for the likes of Paul Pogba and Thauvin to join a frightening attack.
The United player in question is Guillermo Varela. The right-back has also shown his raw talent throughout the competition.
Now while the pair will only go directly face to face when Sanogo drifts out wide-left, which he does sometimes do, the pairing gives both Arsenal and United fans the chance to take in the performance of, despite talk of Higuain and Thiago, the only players signed by their clubs this season.
So sit down Saturday and soak it up; and see what you think of two players who are clearly rough diamonds ready to be polished.
image: © Julien Haler
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