Under-20 Intercontinental Cup 2023, Boca Juniors vs AZ Alkmaar ...
The Under-20 Intercontinental Cup 2023 will be between Boca Juniors and AZ Alkmaar at Estadio Alberto J. Armando 'La Bombonera' in Buenos Aires at 21:00 CET (16:00 local time) on Saturday 9 September.
The Under-20 Intercontinental Cup pits the youth champions of Europe against their South American counterparts, in a showdown agreed after UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December 2021.
Who plays in the 2023 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup?Boca Juniors, winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores Sub-20 in July, will meet AZ Alkmaar, UEFA Youth League holders.
Both teams won those competitions for the first time this year. However, whereas AZ had never previously won a UEFA titles, Boca Juniors at senior level have won six Copa Libertadores, several other CONMEBOL trophies and a joint-record three European-South American Cups.
AZ will hope to be inspired by the record of senior Dutch sides in the old European-South American Cup, with three victories recorded in four attempts. Feyenoord defeated Argentima's Estudiantes de La Plata 3-2 on aggregate in 1970, drawing the first leg at La Bombonera.
Two years later Ajax beat Independiente of Argentina 4-1 overall and then in 1996 edged out Brazil's Grêmio on penalties in Tokyo. The sole loss was PSV Eindhoven's shoot-out reverse against Uruguay's Nacional in Tokyo in 1988.
How did each team get there?AZ earned their place in April by defeating Hajduk Split 5-0 in Geneva to win the UEFA Youth League for the first time.
Three months later, Boca Juniors overcame Ecuador's Independiente del Valle 2-0 to lift the Copa Libertadores Sub-20 trophy in La Serena, Chile
When is the U20 Intercontinental Cup played?The game will be on Saturday 9 September 2023. It kicks off at 21:00 CET (16:00 local time).
Where is the U20 Intercontinental Cup played?The match will be at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando, popularly known as La Bombonera. With a capacity of around 54,000 and nicknamed for its chocolate box appearance, it is the regular home of Boca Juniors' senior team.
Among the many big games there were four matches in the European-South American Cup under its original two-legged format.
1968 first leg: Estudiantes de La Plata 1-0 Manchester United (agg: 2-1)
1969 second leg: Estudiantes de La Plata 2-1 AC Milan (agg: 2-4)
1970 first leg: Estudiantes de La Plata 2-2 Feyenoord (agg: 2-3)
1977 first leg: Boca Juniors 2-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach (agg: 5-2)
The U20 Intercontinental Cup is a one-off fixture played over 90 minutes. There is no extra time, so if the tie is level at the end of regulation time then it goes straight to penalties. The referees for this edition will be appointed by CONMEBOL.
Up to a maximum of five of the 11 substitutes listed on each team's match sheet may take part in the match. Each team must register at least two goalkeepers.
Each team may use a maximum of three stoppages in play to make its substitutions. Substitutions made during half-time do not reduce the number of stoppages in play that can be used.
A player who has been substituted may take no further part in the match.
The FIFA disciplinary code applies to incidents occurring during the match. However, yellow and red cards are cancelled at the end of the match and are not carried forward to any other UEFA, CONMEBOL or FIFA competition.
Who played in the 2022 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup?2022 highlights: Peñarol 0-1 Benfica
Benfica, winners of the 2021/22 UEFA Youth League won 1-0 against Uruguay's Peñarol, who triumphed in the 2022 Copa Libertadores Sub-20, at the famous Estádio Centenario in Montevideo in front of 40,579 fans. Substitute Luís Semedo scored with 21 minutes left.
Why was the U20 Intercontinental Cup introduced?Watch Argentina lift Finalissima trophy
The match is part of the expansion of the cooperation between UEFA and CONMEBOL, which notably includes women's football, futsal and youth categories, the exchange of referees, technical training schemes and the Finalissima games between EURO and Copa América winners.
The first to be held was the men's Finalissima in 2022. Argentina beat Italy 3-0 at Wembley.
The same stadium staged the first Women's Finalissima in 2023, and this time the game went Europe's way as England defeated Brazil 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Women's Finalissima highlights: England 1-1 Brazil (4-2 pens)
There is also a men's Futsal Finalissima, first held in 2022 in Buenos Aires as a four-team tournament involving two teams each from UEFA and CONMEBOL. Both European nations won their semi-finals against South American counterparts and in the final EURO holders Portugal defeated Spain on penalties, while Paraguay defeated hosts and Copa América winners Argentina for bronze.
The U20 Intercontinental Cup has been inspired by the European/South American Cup, which was played between the winners of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and the European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League between 1960 and 2004 (and in which Peñarol defeated Benfica in 1961). The last European/South American Cup, final was won by Portuguese side Porto on penalties against Once Caldas of Colombia.
Futsal Finalissima final highlights: Spain 1-1 Portugal (2-4 pens)
Another fixture, the European Club Challenge, was launched in 2023, with the pilot edition on 19 July of that year matching 2022/23 UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla and the winners of the 2022 CONMEBOL Sudamericana, Independiente del Valle of Ecuador. Sevilla won on penalties.
Had the European youth champions and Copa Libertadores Sub-20 winners met before in an official showdown?The 2022 edition was the first time the youth champions from the two contests had met in a formal, scheduled fixture.
