Japan, the favorite to win the 2025 U-20 World Cup, unexpectedly failed to reach the top 16, triggering heated discussions among Korean and Chinese media fans

The battle for the world championship held in Chile ended earlier than planned. The U-20 Japanese team, led by head coach Yuzo Funakoshi, faced the French team in the top 16 of the 2025 U-20 Men's Football World Cup on October 8, local time. The team lacked the ability to finish the goal. After entering overtime 0-0, they were awarded a penalty kick at the 120th + 3rd minute at the last minute and ultimately lost 0-1.

Defeated the Japanese U-20 men's football team in the top 16

The Japanese team led by Funakoshi won all three games in the group stage of this U-20 World Cup to advance. The French team ranked third in the group with 2 wins and 1 loss. Judging from the previous performance of this tournament, the Japanese team has greater momentum. The Korean media "Xports News" published an article after the game with the title "Shocking defeat! The Japanese football team collapsed on the ground and cried", reporting that "the Japanese team, which won all three games in the U-20 World Cup group stage and quickly emerged as the favorite to win the championship, suffered a shock exit in the first round of the knockout round."

There is no compulsory recruitment of players in the U-20 World Cup. The French team was in a difficult situation due to the lack of cooperation from their domestic clubs and almost fielded a second-tier lineup. However, the Japanese team recruited European players who played in Spain, Sweden, and France. They poured their heart and soul into this event and won consecutive games. But in the round of 16, things were different. The Japanese team hit the crossbar and the goal post within a minute, regretting the lack of a final kick. In the second half of overtime, a handball foul in the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick. The penalty was coolly scored by Luca Michel, who plays for Monaco.

The Japanese team was scored by Luca Michel, who plays for Monaco, with the winning goal

Finally, "Xports News" wrote: "When the Japanese team suffered a shocking exit, the Korean team will stand up to protect the honor of Asia." "The U-20 South Korean team, led by head coach Lee Chang-won, will compete with the Moroccan team for a spot in the quarterfinals at 8 a.m. on the 10th, Korean time. "

Regarding the early exit of the Japanese team, which had won three consecutive victories in the group stage and gained momentum, the Chinese media "" reported as follows: "Tears shed The U-20 Japanese team lost to France at the end of overtime. Many Japanese players collapsed on the court. "

Japan lost 0-1 to France at the end of overtime.

In addition, the following voice appeared in the comment area of the article:

· "Speechless. "

· "How many great opportunities were wasted! "

· "The Japanese team still has an old problem, and the shooting accuracy is too poor. "

· "Don't cry, you lost to the referee. "

· "Continue to waste opportunities, and the god of fate may not always be on your side. "

· "(This is) the retribution you deserve. "

Japanese media said on the 9th that precisely because the Japanese team had the advantage before, Chinese netizens seemed stunned by such an abrupt ending.