Marquinhos provided his second and third goal contributions of the u20 World Cup group stage on Saturday, as Brazil secured progression to the knockouts.

Brazil's forward Marquinhos (R) celebrates with Brazil's midfielder Savio after scoring during the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Nigeria at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on May 27, 2023. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s forward Marquinhos (R) celebrates with Brazil’s midfielder Savio after scoring during the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Nigeria at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on May 27, 2023. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal winger Marquinhos started for the Brazil u20s in their final group game against Nigeria, knowing they needed a win to ensure progression to the next stage.

Italy were playing against the Dominican Republic in the other group game, and if Italy won and Brazil didn’t, then Italy and Nigeria would progress at Brazil’s expense.

As it happened, Italy ended up winning their game 3-0. So it was all or nothing for Brazil against Nigeria.

Fortunately, Marquinhos ended up having his most impactful game of the tournament so far, at just the right time.

The 20-year-old set up Brazil’s opening goal in the 43rd minute, swinging in a corner for Jean Pedroso to head home, and just moments later, Marquinhos had a goal of his own.

Picking up the ball at the end of a counter-attack, Marquinhos shot low and hard through the goalkeeper’s legs for 2-0.

That was how the match ended, with Brazil picking up the three points they needed.

Highlights are available here, though they’re restricted to viewers in the United States.

Brazil's midfielder Marlon Gomes (L) and Brazil's forward Marquinhos gesture at the end of the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Nigeria at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on May 27, 2023. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s midfielder Marlon Gomes (L) and Brazil’s forward Marquinhos gesture at the end of the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Nigeria at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on May 27, 2023. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

Marquinhos had also been involved in a goal in the opening group game against Italy, after his shot was turned in by Marcos Leonardo, and it’s been a strong tournament for the Arsenal man so far.

Brazil will now progress to the knockout stages, and they’ll be joined by a couple of other national teams containing Arsenal youngsters.

17-year-old goalkeeper Alexei Rojas is at the tournament with Colombia, and though he’s yet to feature on the pitch, Colombia have topped their group.

Then Brooke Norton-Cuffy is set to join up with England late, having initially remained with Coventry City for the Championship playoffs.

England still need to play their final group game to determine their finishing position, but they’ll certainly be in the top two. They’re three points clear of Uruguay and Tunisia, who play each other in the last match.

None of the three countries yet know their knockout stage opponents, as those will be determined by the remaining group games.

Group Standings

U20 World Cup standings as of May 28th, 2023
U20 World Cup standings as of May 28th, 2023

What is the Under-20 World Cup?

fifa u20 world cup trophyThe 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup is the 23rd edition of the biennial international men’s youth football championship contested by the under-20 national teams of the member associations of FIFA.

Originally set to be hosted by Indonesia in 2021, the tournament was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indonesia was later stripped of hosting rights amidst protests over Israel’s participation, and Argentina was chosen as the new host.

Argentina is the second nation to host the U-20 World Cup twice, with Australia being the other.

The tournament features 24 teams qualified from six continental competitions.

The Dominican Republic and Israel make their debut in the competition, with the Dominican Republic qualifying for a FIFA tournament for the first time.

The matches will take place in four cities: La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan, and Santiago del Estero.

The top two teams of each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of sixteen.

The final 21-player squads must include three goalkeepers and have been chosen from preliminary squads of between 22 and 50 players.

Players must be born between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007 to be eligible to feature.

The tournament aims to showcase the best young talent in football and serves as a stepping stone for players to further their careers in professional clubs and national teams.