The 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup final was a football match that was played on at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea on 11 June 2017 to determine the champions of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The final was contested by Venezuela and England. England won the match 1–0, winning the title for the first time. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his second goal of the tournament during the final, which turned out to be the only goal in the game. This was the first ever final for both England and Venezuela in the history of the tournament.
Background This was England's first appearance and victory in the final of a global football tournament since their senior World Cup victory in 1966. Their previous best at the U-20 World Cup was third place in 1993.
For Venezuela it was only the second appearance at the U-20 World Cup, previously in 2009 they only managed to go as far as the second round.
Road to the final VenezuelaRoundEnglandOpponentResultGroup stageOpponentResult2–0Match 13–07–0Match 21–11–0Match 31–0Group B winnersFinal standingsGroup A winnersOpponentResultKnockout stageOpponentResult1–0 (aet)Round of 162–1 2–1 (aet)Quarter-finals1–01–1 (aet) (4–3 pen.)Semi-finals3–1
Match Summary The final was played on 11 June 2017 at the Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon. England defeated Venezuela 1–0. The win gave England the first title in the tournament.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winning goal in the 35th minute when he finished from close range after his initial effort was blocked by Wuilker Faríñez, but the rebound fell into his path. He made no mistake with his second chance.
England goalkeeper Freddie Woodman made two vital saves in the second half. The first was a one-on-one opportunity for Sergio Córdova created by Yeferson Soteldo, and the second from the penalty spot from Adalberto Peñaranda.
The match was evenly contested throughout, with both sides hitting the woodwork, but it was England's evening in the end, as the Young Lions held on to become U-20 World Cup champions for the first time.
After the match, England forward Dominic Solanke, was named the player of the tournament and received the Golden Ball. Previous winner of the award include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Sergio Agüero.
Freddie Woodman was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament and received the Golden Glove award.
Details
GK 1 Wuilker FaríñezCB 5 Williams Velásquez CB 4Nahuel FerraresiRB20Ronald HernándezLB2 José HernándezCM 8 Yangel Herrera (c)CM 16Ronaldo Lucena RW 19Sergio Córdova LW 7Adalberto Peñaranda CF 11 Ronaldo Chacón CF 9Ronaldo PeñaSubstitutions:FW 10 Yeferson Soteldo MF 15Samuel Sosa DF 13Jan Hurtado Coach:Rafael Dudamel GK 1 Freddie WoodmanRB 2 Jonjoe KennyCB 5Fikayo Tomori CB 6 Jake Clarke-SalterLB 14Kyle Walker-PetersDM 4Lewis Cook (c)DM 7 Josh OnomahRM 18 Kieran Dowell AM 10Dominic Solanke LM 11Ademola Lookman CF 16 Dominic Calvert-Lewin Substitutions:MF 19Sheyi Ojo MF 8Ainsley Maitland-Niles Coach:Paul Simpson Assistant referees: Sander van Roekel (Netherlands) Erwin Zeinstra (Netherlands) Fourth official: Julio Bascuñán (Chile) Video assistant referees: Daniele Orsato (Italy) Simon Lount (New Zealand) Assistant video assistant referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)Match rules: 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level. Ten named eligible substitutes. Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.
Statistics OverallVenezuelaEnglandGoals scored01Total shots1920Shots on target48Shots blocked44Ball possession48%52%Corner kicks39Fouls committed1616Offsides01Saves74Yellow cards12Red cards00
Reaction in England England's win ended 51 years of waiting for a global tournament trophy. The senior England team watched the game from a laptop and applauded as the final whistle was blown. England's next trophy came just four months later when the under-17 side won the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
See also 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup
References
External links FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA.com