For the first time in FIFA’s U-20 World Cup 40-year existence, England was crowned the tournament’s champion.
The Three Lions edged an inspired Venezuela, 1-0, at Suwon World Cup Stadium early Sunday morning. An even bout from the first whistle, Sunday’s match offered a handful of opportunities for both sides. 24 minutes in, Ronaldo Lucena’s direct free kick from 35 yards out was not only inches from putting Venezuela up first, but from possibly being the best of the tournament.
In the 34th minute, England would finally crack the code with Dominic Calvert-Lewin placing a low-driving ball past Wailer Fariñez.
In the second half, Venezuela would come inches from leveling the scoreline. But an impenetrable Freddie Woodman would serve as England’s hero. Woodman’s most important save would come in the 74th minute, denying Alberto Peñaranda’s strike from the penalty spot.
The Three Lions would ride on the early momentum until the final whistle. The lone-goal victory in Suwon, marks England’s first World Cup since 1966.
Number 16 on England is bulky as heck would not want to get challenge or get tackled by that guy lol
I had picked England here in an earlier e-mail, but Venezuela’s run to the final
was an oddesey unprecedented in World Cup History. In their preliminary Regional Qualifying round, they didn’t win a match, scoring only 1 goal in 4 matches. However, they went
through to the next round on a tie-breaker and then was a bare qualifier into the World Cup where 4 teams went. In the WC, in their last 4 matches, they scored only 1 goal in regulation, and that in the last few minutes to send the match into extra time.
I have seen teams attempt to play everyone close, and attempt to get through at the end. Some make it for a few rounds, but in the end, winning 50-50 Matches will ultimately begin to put
the numbers against you, and that is exactly what happened here.
I still think that having an extra 2 days rest against the U. S. was the difference. But when the breaks are going your way, they can carry you past a lot of teams, so the U. S. will have to satisfy itself that it went to the round of 8 undefeated before bowing out.