England win Under-20 World Cup final

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England win FIFA Under-20 World Cup final (June 11 2017)


Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Freddie Woodman grabbed the headlines in a team of heroes as England won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup by beating Venezuela 1-0 in South Korea.

Paul Simpson's Young Lions were the first England side to reach a world showpiece for over half a century and they followed in the footsteps of Sir Alf Ramsey's team, who lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966.

Everton's Calvert-Lewin scored the game's only goal after 35 minutes while a second-half penalty save from Newcastle goalkeeper Woodman preserved England's lead and ensured they became world champions.

After a slow start the game was lit up by an audacious long-range effort after 16 minutes from Ronaldo Lucena, whose swerving, dipping free-kick from all of 40 yards clipped the outside of a post.

Ademola Lookman brought a decent save from Wuilker Farinez before Calvert-Lewin wrote his name into the history books with what proved to be the winning goal.

The Everton forward contested a long, diagonal ball behind the Venezuela defence and saw his initial effort well saved before tapping home the rebound from close range.

Another free-kick brought another moment of panic for England just before half-time as Adalberto Penaranda curled an effort narrowly wide.

Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah saw a 30-yard effort strike the underside of the Venezuela crossbar early in the second half as England pushed for a second goal.

However, the South Americans were becoming increasing more dangerous and were given a golden opportunity to get back into the match when Penaranda went down following a clash of knees with Jake Clarke-Salter.

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

The penalty award stood but Woodman's strong palm kept out Penaranda's spot-kick, despite diving the wrong way.

A frantic finale saw England hang on to lift the trophy, surpassing their previous best at the Under-20 World Cup which was a third place finish in 1993.

Post-match reaction

England Under-20 manager Paul Simpson hopes his side's World Cup triumph can act as a stepping stone to success for the senior team.

Simpson told the press: "What a weekend it's been for our national teams with the other Under-20 side winning the Toulon Tournament and now we have capped it off with winning the World Cup.

"We've got some wonderful players and a wonderful support staff. We've got some real top-quality coaches back at home who have supported us all the way, as have the teams below us and the senior team above us too. There's a real unity about the England set up.

"It's a dream come true, and that doesn't even sound like a strong enough statement to express how big an achievement this is for everyone concerned.

"Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone as ultimately the goal is to be successful at senior level and this has been a terrific experience for these players to help develop them for senior football."

Simpson was pleased with how his players dug in and held on.

He said: "That was one tough evening for us but what a feeling when that whistle went, all that hard work all coming together at the end. It was wonderful for us all.

"The second half was a real grind for us. The players have defended for their lives out there and have shown an unbelievable spirit to keep that clean sheet. It was an unbelievable save from Freddie Woodman from the penalty.

"I think that over the whole of the tournament we have shown that we are the best side. Maybe not on the night in the final but tonight was just about finding a way to win that game and the players have done it and I'm absolutely delighted for every single one of the players, every single one of the staff."

Match-winner Dominic Calvert-Lewin hopes England's Under-20 World Cup winning squad will be able to get more Premier League minutes under their belts next season.

"Hopefully there will be opportunities for the lads next season," said Calvert-Lewin.

"I have had a taste of it last season with Everton and I just want to show I am capable of playing regularly next season."

England survived an almighty scare late in the game when Venezuela were given a golden opportunity to get back into the match when Adalberto Penaranda went down in the penalty area following a clash of knees with Jake Clarke-Salter.

The referee pointed to the spot before immediately referring the decision to the video assistant referee. The penalty award stood but Freddie Woodman's strong palm kept out the spot-kick, despite diving the wrong way.

"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 finaI is amazing," he said.

"I probably should have scored the first time to be honest. I just anticipated the keeper parrying the ball away and tried to keep my composure and managed to put it away. The feeling was just relief to be honest. I can't remember what I did - ran to the corner flag and hit it I think but then all the lads came over.

"It is hard to put into words what that feeling is like when the referee blew the final whistle. We have wanted this so much that to come back to England as part of a select few who have won the World Cup means everything."