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Under-20 World Cup: England beat Venezuela in final

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments412

England won their biggest international title since 1966 by beating Venezuela 1-0 in the Under-20 World Cup final.

It was England's first appearance in the final of a global tournament since their World Cup victory 51 years ago.

Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half goal was enough for victory thanks to Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman's second-half penalty save.

Woodman denied Adalberto Penaranda from the spot after the Malaga forward was fouled by Kyle Walker-Peters.

With 17 minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot to signal a penalty before immediately referring to the video assistant referee.

The decision stood - there was the slightest of contacts - but Newcastle keeper Woodman's strong palm kept out Penaranda's effort.

In the first half Ronaldo Lucena hit the post with an audacious long-range free-kick that had Woodman well beaten, while Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah saw a powerful effort strike the underside of the Venezuela bar after the break.

After the match, England forward Dominic Solanke, due to join Liverpool from Chelsea on 1 July, was awarded the Golden Ball given to the player of the tournament. Previous winners of the award include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis Figo, Paul Pogba and Sergio Aguero.

Woodman was awarded the Golden Glove, given to the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

"Thankfully Freddie saved the penalty. I was watching through my fingers from the halfway line and it was an incredible moment. It was a big, big moment that helped turn the game," said Calvert-Lewin, who joined Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters as the only Englishmen to score in a World Cup final.

"To be one of only three Englishman to have scored in a World Cup final is amazing."

What is the Under-20 World Cup?

It is the biggest global tournament in youth football and has helped launch the career of a number of big names in football.

Barcelona forward Messi was in the Argentina team that won the 2005 event (then called the Fifa World Youth Championship), while Portuguese great Figo inspired his country to victory in the 1991 competition.

England's team in 2013 - the last time they competed in the event - featured Ross Barkley, John Stones, Harry Kane and Eric Dier. They failed to win a game and finished bottom of their group.

The last Under-20 World Cup in 2015 was won by Serbia, who beat a Brazil side containing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in the final. Six of Serbia's 21-man squad have since made a full international debut, including Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic.

Is this the country's next 'golden generation'?

England's youth teams have won the Under-17 European Championship twice - in 2010 and 2014 - and the Under-21 European Championship twice - in 1982 and 1984.

Their previous best at the Under-20 World Cup was third place in 1993. Of that squad, only four players went on to represent England at senior level - Nicky Butt, Nick Barmby, Alan Thompson and David Unsworth.

Six of the squad that triumphed in South Korea on Sunday were part of that Under-17 European success in 2014. Woodman, Jonjoe Kenny, Dominic Solanke and captain Lewis Cook all started in Sunday's final, while Dael Fry and Adam Armstrong were on the bench.

The current side have made a total of 72 Premier League appearances to date. Striker Adam Armstrong leads the way with 15 since his top-flight debut in Newcastle's 1-0 defeat by Fulham in March 2014.

England's route to the final

Group A:

Argentina 0-3 England (Calvert-Lewin, Armstrong, Solanke)

England (Cook) 1-1 Guinea (Tomori OG)

England (Dowell) 1-0 South Korea

England's Group A table

Last 16:

England (Lookman (2)) 2-1 Costa Rica

Quarter-finals:

Mexico 0-1 England (Solanke)

Semi-finals:

Italy (Orsolini) 1-3 England (Solanke (2), Lookman)

Final:

Venezuela 0-1 England (Calvert-Lewin)

Teams:

England U20: Woodman (Newcastle), Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Tomori (Chelsea), Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Kenny (Everton), Cook (Bournemouth), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Onomah (Tottenham), Solanke (Chelsea, joining Liverpool on 1 July), Lookman (Everton), Dowell (Everton).

Substitutes: Ojo (Liverpool, for Dowell, 62), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal, for Lookman, 76).

Substitutes not used: Henderson (Manchester United), Southwood (Reading), Connolly (Everton), Armstrong (Newcastle), Konsa (Charlton), Fry (Middlesbrough), Chapman (Middlesbrough), Ejaria (Liverpool).

Venezuela U20: Farinez, Ronald Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Ferraresi, Velasquez, Lucena, Herrera, Cordova, Chacon, Penaranda, Pena.

Substitutes: Soteldo (for Chacon, 52), Sosa (for Cordova, 72), Hurtado (for Penaranda, 90+3)

Substitutes not used: Quero, Makoun, Graterol, Garcia, Mejias, Ruiz, Sanchez.

Reaction

Former England defender Danny Mills on BBC Two:

Brilliant game to watch. England at this level are starting to play with confidence, commitment and expression. They really wanted this win. This is a great building block for these young players. They are starting to produce players. St. George's Park is really starting to work. From the Under-17s right through the programme.

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412 comments

  • Comment posted by koftinho, at 13:02 11 Jun 2017

    Congrats to the youngsters. Big moment for them.

    Also lets have a word about the penalty.

    How long did it take to make the right decision? No debate, controversy, correct decision got made and it was worth taking the time to check.

    Time for football to move into the modern era and introduce this in all top flight football.

  • Comment posted by mikeb, at 13:15 11 Jun 2017

    The BBC should be ashamed og themselves. Could'nt stay on air for another 15 mins to show the presentation. Disgusting lack of respect for what these boys have achieved!

  • Comment posted by Warmwetgoaliegloves, at 13:03 11 Jun 2017

    These talented young guys should now look for moves abroad before the results driven business of the EPL leaves them to rot as squad players. Mid table teams in The Netherlands, Portugal and perhaps Germany would educate these young men and let them develop as people and footballers. Or they could stay put, get twattoos, baby Bently's and be in League 1 in a few years.

  • Comment posted by morebalanceplease, at 13:04 11 Jun 2017

    Great effort. What these players need now is game time in the PL. We need overseas player limitations to make this happen.

  • Comment posted by Strangely Brown, at 13:20 11 Jun 2017

    Stick Woodman straight into the senior side, he's already way better than Hart.

  • Comment posted by Sup, at 13:07 11 Jun 2017

    Let's hope they don't simple devolve into a bunch of Rah££m $terlings.

    What an achievement, well done to them!

    Great game too!

  • Comment posted by steve_harmisons_middle_finger, at 13:01 11 Jun 2017

    Send them to Russia next year. Couldn't be worse.

  • Comment posted by Slim, at 13:08 11 Jun 2017

    I watched the game and England were brilliant. Entirely different brand of football - attacking, carefree and fast paced. I wonder when the "system" will drive all that out of them (if any get chance to play at highest club level to start with).

  • Comment posted by Ty-Fry-Typhoon, at 12:59 11 Jun 2017

    What an experience and achievement that they can always be proud of, well done!

  • Comment posted by manofkent, at 13:24 11 Jun 2017

    @38 what a tube, much of the current German team were winners of these "pub tournaments" at junior level.

  • Comment posted by D1710608474023, at 12:59 11 Jun 2017

    Brilliant performance well done to the boys.

    I just hope that each and every one makes a wise decision to remain (or move) to a club that will continue to nurture and develop their skills and not sign for one of the (so called) the big clubs who will simply leave them to rot in the reserves or farm them out on endless wasted loan deals.

    Come on England

  • Comment posted by User0527581793, at 14:06 11 Jun 2017

    You bitter bunch!
    Just be proud England won. If you have nothing good to say, leave your keyboards alone. Congratulations England!

  • Comment posted by martello, at 13:07 11 Jun 2017

    Great result - great use of video technology - great refereeing - take note the senior squad - you have a lot to learn

  • Comment posted by Commentator1005, at 13:09 11 Jun 2017

    Can we replace the senior team with this lot?

  • Comment posted by BlueStig, at 13:02 11 Jun 2017

    Congratulations England U'20s. Excellent game, credit to both teams.

  • Comment posted by newtohys, at 13:16 11 Jun 2017

    23. Posted by Backseat Driver

    It is a real world cup,the clue is in the name FIFA under 20's world cup.

  • Comment posted by User0389026502, at 13:15 11 Jun 2017

    Riviting stuff !!! international f/ball wins .

    No cheating . diving. ref hassles. dirty fouling.
    sorry

    arabs, russians or yanks..cannot buy this trophy ...££££ crushed

    a proper football game, from a fine tournament played by men ..not boys

    our chumps league smug self adoring poo ft ers .... could learn a few things from these young lads.

    delighted for england .

  • Comment posted by Giorgio , at 13:23 11 Jun 2017

    Well done young men. After watching 80 odd minutes of that c..p yesterday, I am glad to be English again. Put all those overpaid seniors to shame. You guys deserve to have a great summer break, the senior lot should cancel theirs and take a long hard look in the mirror.

  • Comment posted by Graham, at 13:29 11 Jun 2017

    They showed the PASSION and DESIRE that the senior squad DON'T show. Young Lions are WORLD CHAMPIONS - seniors are spoilt multi-milionaires.

  • Comment posted by unification, at 14:22 11 Jun 2017

    All these comments and not one word for the job of Paul Simpson?

    Considering how much flack England managers get shouldn't we be fair and applaud what a good job he's done here?

    Well done to him after a few difficult spells managing in the FL. FL experience ahead of Fancy Dan foreign coaches.

    Sadly even the FL resort to overseas managers ahead of home grown nowadays.

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