U-20 World Cup: Uruguay defeat Italy to win title
A late-goal in a keenly contested final helped Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 to be crowned champions of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Luciano Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the 86th minute from a close range header to give Uruguay a much deserved victory.
Deservingly so, it was the Celeste who dominated the entire match vs Italy in La Plata as they pushed for their first ever title in the competition.
Cheered on by majority of the over 40,000 fans at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in La Plata, Uruguay created the best chances in a frantic finale.
The Celeste had chances via a delightful free kick by match-winner Rodríguez, two long distance shots from captain Fabricio Díaz and a header by Anderson Duarte that forced Italy goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches into a save of the tournament contender.
On a night tournament top-scorer Cesare Casadei was under lock, the Italians failed to threaten the opposition goal in a one-team dominated final.
In the end, Luciano Rodriguez headed home the winner in the 86th minute to bag a first ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title for Uruguay.
Uruguay, two-time losing finalists in 1997 and 2013 finally ends Europe’s dominance in the competition. Brazil were the last winners from South America in 2011.
In a related development, Israel beat South Korea 3-1 to secure third place in their debut FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance.
