The Colombian striker once again found his best version in the tricolor team. The Tumaqueño had been the South American scorer.
Photo: EFE – Benjamín Hernández
Quick summary and information
Listen to this article
Audio generated with Google AI
Every time he puts on the Colombian national team shirt, Neiser Villarreal seems to find his best version. It leaves the controversies behind and becomes the emblem of a team that plays with heart and ambition. In the U-20 World Cup, the forward from Tumaque has been the offensive reference and one of the most decisive players of the tournament: with five goals in four games, he shares the lead in the table of top scorers.
Villarreal, 20 years old, has responded with maturity in decisive moments. He scored two goals in the round of 16 against South Africa (3-1) and scored a historic hat trick against Spain in the quarterfinals (3-2), when Colombia overcame an adverse score and qualified for the semifinals. His ability to appear at critical moments has been as valuable as his understanding with his teammates in attack: Óscar Perea, Jordan Barrera and Joel Canchimbo have been his partners in almost all the plays that ended in a goal.
Beyond the numbers, Neiser represents the competitive soul of César Torres' team. Combine sacrifice and leadership, go down to associate, press, and assume the weight of the goal without hiding. “He is the heart of the group,” the coaching staff agree, a phrase that summarizes what he transmits within the locker room and on the field.
His performance has put him on the international radar and places him alongside the most prominent names in the tournament. The table of scorers, until the close of the quarterfinals, reflects the parity and level of the new promises of world football:
The table of scorers of the U-20 World Cup
With these records, the Colombian striker shares first place with the American Benja Cremaschi, both with five goals and with options to win the World Cup Golden Boot.
🚴🏻⚽🏀 The latest in sports?: Everything you need to know about world sport is in El Espectador
