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2017 U-20 World Cup round up, round of 16: Italy ousts France

Perhaps the most surprising result of the tournament so far: the European champion and World Cup favorite is out.

Dino Panato/Getty Images

The re-play of the 2016 UEFA European U-19 Championship final saw Italy exact revenge for its defeat in that game, producing a surprising 2-1 win over France in the round of 16 of the 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup.

The first hint that France wasn't going to have it quite as easy as it did when it beat Italy 4-0 in the final of the U-19 Euros came in the 27th minute when Riccardo Orsolini opened the scoring for the Italians. France did not lie down, and Jean-Kevin Augustin equalized from the penalty spot in the 37th minute. But Italy was ahead again shortly after half-time: Giuseppe Panico scored in the 53rd minute.

And France could not find a way past Italy 'keeper Andrea Zaccagno, who back-stopped his team to a 2-1 win.

Italy advances to play Zambia in the quarterfinals in a match-up between one of the most dynamic attacking units in the tournament and the Italians' well-organized defense.