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THE DAY REPLAYED – England made history in Suwon as they claimed their first FIFA U-20 World Cup, capping off a scintillating tournament with a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a pulsating final.
Both sides did even more to enhance the already exemplary reputations they have built up over the three weeks with an end-to-end encounter, which was decided by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half strike. Venezuela can hold their heads high, with both sides in their first final, pushing the Young Lions all the way.
Italy bounced back from their semi-final defeat to claim a bronze medal against Uruguay, following a tight encounter typical of the two hard-to-beat sides. La Celeste have been involved in all three of Korea Republic 2017’s penalty shootouts but, for the second time in succession, they fell short.
Results
Final: Venezuela 0-1 England
Match for third place: Uruguay 0-0 Italy (1-4 PSO)
Memorable moments
Woodman holds his nerve for history
Penalties have traditionally been the undoing of England on the international stage. They were denied a final at 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™ thanks a shootout, but a spot-kick in Suwon was in many ways what ultimately saw them crowned world champions. It was not a Young Lion stood over the ball, though, but the one in between the posts that was crucial. Adalberto Penaranda was given a gilt-edged chance to level things at 1-1 having been felled, but Freddie Woodman - diving beyond the forward's effort - threw back a hand to deny him and clinch their first ever title.
Twice within an inch of immortality
While there have been some sensational goals in past U-20 World Cup Finals – Oscar in 2011 and Diego Maradona in 1979 to name just two – Venezuela’s Ronaldo Lucena and England’s Josh Onomah both went within a lick of paint of blowing them clean out of the water. From near-identical spots on the pitch, the two midfielders rattled the same frame of the goal either side of half-time. Lucena’s 35-yard free-kick sailed spectacularly through the evening air to slam the post. Onomah’s thumping effort crashed off the underside of the bar. Replays on the stadium’s giant screens evoked stunned gasps on both occasions.
Bronze revenge
The day in Suwon began with a flashback to day two of the tournament. Italy and Uruguay kicked off their tournaments in this stadium facing each other, so their trips to Korea Republic ended with a cyclical feel to them. In more ways than one too, as this encounter was similarly cagey to the meeting on 21 May. Penalties also turned out not to be the friend of La Celeste. Nicolas De La Cruz was denied in that opening encounter and, after the Match for Third Place went to a shootout, Rodrigo Amaral and Juan Boselli spurned their efforts, meaning Italy avenged their 1-0 defeat to clinch a medal.
Award winners
adidas Golden Ball: Dominic Solanke
adidas Silver Ball: Federico Valverde
adidas Bronze Ball: Yangel Herrera
adidas Golden Boot: Riccardo Orsolini
adidas Silver Boot: Joshua Sargent
adidas Bronze Boot: Jean-Kevin Augustin
adidas Golden Glove: Freddie Woodman
Fair Play Award: Mexico
The words
"Words can’t describe right now what I’m feeling, I’m just trying to take it all in. I was knackered from the celebration, but honestly, words can't describe it all. It means everything. It's what you dream of as a kid, playing for your country and winning a World Cup."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, England
More from Korea Republic
- England triumph to win first ever U-20 World Cup
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal denies Venezuela glory
- Italy clinch bronze on penalties with win over Uruguay
THE DAY REPLAYED – England made history in Suwon as they claimed their first FIFA U-20 World Cup, capping off a scintillating tournament with a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a pulsating final.
Both sides did even more to enhance the already exemplary reputations they have built up over the three weeks with an end-to-end encounter, which was decided by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half strike. Venezuela can hold their heads high, with both sides in their first final, pushing the Young Lions all the way.
Italy bounced back from their semi-final defeat to claim a bronze medal against Uruguay, following a tight encounter typical of the two hard-to-beat sides. La Celeste have been involved in all three of Korea Republic 2017’s penalty shootouts but, for the second time in succession, they fell short.
Results
Final: Venezuela 0-1 England
Match for third place: Uruguay 0-0 Italy (1-4 PSO)
Memorable moments
Woodman holds his nerve for history
Penalties have traditionally been the undoing of England on the international stage. They were denied a final at 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™ thanks a shootout, but a spot-kick in Suwon was in many ways what ultimately saw them crowned world champions. It was not a Young Lion stood over the ball, though, but the one in between the posts that was crucial. Adalberto Penaranda was given a gilt-edged chance to level things at 1-1 having been felled, but Freddie Woodman - diving beyond the forward's effort - threw back a hand to deny him and clinch their first ever title.
Twice within an inch of immortality
While there have been some sensational goals in past U-20 World Cup Finals – Oscar in 2011 and Diego Maradona in 1979 to name just two – Venezuela’s Ronaldo Lucena and England’s Josh Onomah both went within a lick of paint of blowing them clean out of the water. From near-identical spots on the pitch, the two midfielders rattled the same frame of the goal either side of half-time. Lucena’s 35-yard free-kick sailed spectacularly through the evening air to slam the post. Onomah’s thumping effort crashed off the underside of the bar. Replays on the stadium’s giant screens evoked stunned gasps on both occasions.
Bronze revenge
The day in Suwon began with a flashback to day two of the tournament. Italy and Uruguay kicked off their tournaments in this stadium facing each other, so their trips to Korea Republic ended with a cyclical feel to them. In more ways than one too, as this encounter was similarly cagey to the meeting on 21 May. Penalties also turned out not to be the friend of La Celeste. Nicolas De La Cruz was denied in that opening encounter and, after the Match for Third Place went to a shootout, Rodrigo Amaral and Juan Boselli spurned their efforts, meaning Italy avenged their 1-0 defeat to clinch a medal.
Award winners
adidas Golden Ball: Dominic Solanke
adidas Silver Ball: Federico Valverde
adidas Bronze Ball: Yangel Herrera
adidas Golden Boot: Riccardo Orsolini
adidas Silver Boot: Joshua Sargent
adidas Bronze Boot: Jean-Kevin Augustin
adidas Golden Glove: Freddie Woodman
Fair Play Award: Mexico
The words
"Words can’t describe right now what I’m feeling, I’m just trying to take it all in. I was knackered from the celebration, but honestly, words can't describe it all. It means everything. It's what you dream of as a kid, playing for your country and winning a World Cup."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, England
More from Korea Republic
Well done, #YoungLions!
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