Los 40 USA
Sign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA
Uruguay U20 URU
1
Luciano Rodríguez 85'
Italia U20 ITA
0
Finished

Uruguay 1-0 Italy: summary, score, goals, highlights FIFA U20 World Cup final

AMDEP4220. LA PLATA (ARGENTINA), 11/06/2023.- Jugadores de Uruguay celebran con el trofeo de campeones de la Copa Mundial de Fútbol sub-20 tras vencer a Italia hoy, en el estadio Diego Armando Maradona en La Plata (Argentina). EFE/ Demian Alday Estevez

Uruguay - Italy: as it happened

Uruguay: U20 World Cup champions

as.com

A totally deserved win for La Celeste as they dominated the action from the off and Italy had no answer to match their high intensity pressing game.

Chances were few and far between in the first half but they fell the way of the South American side with Italy keeper Sebastiano Desplanches keeping his side in the game.

The pattern continued in the second half as Uruguay throttled the Italian side and just when it seemed that the final would be destined for extra time, Liverpool (URU) striker Luciano Rodriguez was well placed to nod home at the back post to delight the 38,000 Charrua fans who packed into the Estadio La Plata (Argentina). 

as.com
as.com

That's it ...the whistle sounds and Uruguay win the U20 World Cup for the first time ever.

as.com

Nerves now for the Celeste fans as Italy win a dangerous free.

The keeper even thinks about adding to the attack.

Uruguay break with five sky shirts through and the Italy keeper saves the day.

as.com

The ref tonight warrants a mention as he has been excellent.

Letting the game flow and right up with the play to make the big calls.  

as.com

Italy still yet to register a single shot on target in 97 minutes of football !

as.com

Uruguay fans now in full celebration mode in the stands as the goal scorer Rodriguez seems to have sustained a hamstring injury and will be subbed.

Homemchenko is replacement.

 

as.com

Massive urgency from Italy now as the clock ticks down.

Uruguay well worth their lead and the Charruas now have one hand on the trophy.

as.com

A yellow for Italy who are now ragged.

Antoni on the bench gets carded for protesting.

as.com

We'll have 11 minutes of time added on.

as.com

Italy subs

Off: Baldanzi and Giovane

On: Pisilli and Lipani

as.com

Card for Italy as Matturro gets a clip from Zanotti.

as.com

What tension as VAR continue to study and .... the goal is given.

as.com

Hang on a minute as there is a VAR check in place .... 

as.com

A scramble of a goal as the ball falls to Rodriguez who nods home at the back post.

as.com
as.com

Rodriguez gets the goal that Uruguay deserve

as.com
85

Last five as Uruguay finally get the breakthrough.

Gooooooooooooooool.

La Plata erupts

as.com

Wow ! The ref amends his decision and it's just a yellow card for the Italian who is very, very lucky to still be on the pitch.

as.com

The ref is going to consult the VAR monitor.

I'd be surprised if that is overturned. 

Certainly looks like a straight red!

as.com

A straight red for Prati for a nasty challenge from the SPAL man.... once again a good call from the Swede for a reckless and dangerous challenge from the Italian.

as.com

Italy yet to muster a shot on target throughout the contest.

as.com

Baldanzi shoots and wins a corner with a rare foray forward for the men in white.

as.com
75

Just 15' remain as Italy win a dangerous free.

38,000 confirmed as the official attendance. 

as.com

Montevago is down clutching his head which forces the Swedish referee to halt the action. 

as.com

Diaz shoots but Sebastiano Desplanches was down well to gather.

Don't forget, should we get to the 90 minute mark with a 0-0 scoreline, then we'll have a further 30 minutes of extra time to try and get a winner.

as.com
68

Italy on the ropes again as they have to defend yet another corner (7-1 in favour of the sky blues).

Important that Uruguay keep a cool head and don't let the lack of a goal become a frustration.

as.com
64

What a run from Gonzalez as he skips past two Italy defenders and Rodriguez just unable to get a touch on the ball in the box.

as.com

Uruguay sub

Off: Duarte and Ferrari is his replacemnt

as.com

Sebastiano Desplanches looks to be in a bad way as he was kicked on the knee by the striker.

Duarte too is back on his feet and we seem good to go again.

as.com
59

Matturro heads and the ball almost loops into the corner of the Italy net.

As we approach the hour mark, the pattern of the game remains the same.... 

Duarte and the Italian keeper collide again and play is briefly held up as the medical team are called on to the pitch.

as.com

Italy subs

Off: Ambrosino and Pafundi

On: Esposito and Montevago

as.com
55

Italy seem second to everything.

La Celeste have to translate this dominance into a goal though.

as.com

Uruguay are still full of vigor and their high press allows Italy absolutely no time to enjoy time on the ball.

as.com
48

Uruguay press again and win the first corner of the half.

Italy manage to clear the danger but already we're seeing a similar pattern to that of the first 45'... Uruguay press and Italy on the backfoot.

as.com

Ambrosino carded as he feigns a foul and a great spot from the Swedish official.

as.com

La Celeste start the second half.

as.com

Italy sub:

Zanotti on for Faticanti

as.com

HT: URU 0-0 ITA

All square in La Plata at the interval.

as.com

A bright 45' of football, almost exclusively dominated by Uruguay with the South American side unlucky not to be ahead.

Duarte came closest forcing an excellent stop from Italy keeper Sebastiano Desplanches but the side in sky will feel disappointed that their domination has not translated into a lead.

as.com
as.com

Corner for Italy.

Last chance for the Azzurri at the end of the half but Uruguay manager to clear and Duarte breaks at the other end of the pitch.

Rodriguez fouled at the edge of the box. Danger for Italy at the end of the half. Diaz takes and the ball is cleared and the whistle sounds.

 

 

 

as.com

Into added time, we'll have three minutes extra at the end of the half.

as.com
45

It's still all Uruguay as they look to hurt Italy on both flanks. 

Still no goal for the South American side despite all their domination.

as.com

Play held up now as Sebastiano Desplanches is clipped by Duarte.

The Uruguay striker also feeling the effects of the collision.

 

as.com
40

Into the final five minutes as Uruguay press and look for a way through.

as.com

Another corner for Uruguay as Diaz's shot is deflected.

This time Italy defend well and clear the danger.

as.com

Guarino carded as he leads with an elbow and clips Rodriguez.

as.com
32

De los Santos does really well as he robs the ball back, the River Plate (URU) man drills a dangerous ball into the box but Duarte just fails to latch on to the delivery.

as.com

The referee is having a good game letting the play flow and only blowing up for clear fouls.

as.com
29

Approaching the half hour mark and it's still Uruguay who dominate.

No letup in the tempo of the action as Gonzalez now has a shot but it goes tanely wide.

as.com

What a save from Desplanches as he palms away a fine Duarte header.

Excellent effort and a stunning stop from the Italian stopper.

Best chance of the night!

as.com
20

Despite La Celeste being the better side, it's Italy who dominate the possession stats with 63% for the European side as opposed to the 37 (%) for the South American side.

as.com

4 shots now from Uruguay versus the 0 from the Azzurri. 

as.com
17

Better from the Italian side in the past few minutes as they press and for the first time of the game have Uruguay on the backfoot.

as.com
15

Italy break and Garcia fouls Baldanzi and Pafundi is over the ball with the free.

The Empoli player crosses as Italy appeal for handball.
The ball does clip Boselli on the arm.... but does anyone understand the handball rule these days?

 

as.com

Diaz again with another fine strike but this one veers wide.

Uruguay really pressing and Rodriguez Lucas in the Celeste goal a virtual spectator so far.

as.com
10

Diaz now goes close for La Celeste who are really posing problems as the ball clips the back stanchion.

as.com
8

It's a bright open start from both teams as Uruguay win a dangerous free-kick some distance out.

Rodriguez to shoot from 30m out...

Decent hit from the Danubio man as the ball goes wide.

as.com

What a strike from Matturro as the Uruguay left back catches a long field ball beautifully but just fails to secure accuracy.

as.com

Bright start from the men in sky blue as Italy are pegged deep inside their own half.

as.com

Both sides endeavouring to play the ball around on the surface despite the fact the ball is skipping off the uneven surface.

as.com
3

Giovane with a very, very robust challenge and the Ascoli player is lucky not to escape with a card.

as.com

Off we go... Italy start the action.

as.com

Plenty of noise being generated by the La Celeste fans present in La Plata as both team captains fulfil their pre game protocol.

The pitch does not look in great shape it has to be said.... Too many games, no rainfall and freezing overnight temperatures have led to a bobbly surface.

as.com

National anthem time as we see FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the VIP area.

The Swiss will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning captain in 90/120 minutes.

as.com

The World Cup trophy is brought to the pitch by Maxi Rodriguez with a full house at the stadium.

80% or so of the crowd are from Uruguay with the trip to La Plata just a ferry ride away.

The teams are in the tunnel.... Italy in their away white kit with 'home side' Uruguay in their sky shirts and black shorts.

as.com

Team news reminder

As we drift towards kick-off in La Plata, a reminder of how the Uruguay and Italy teams start ahead of the 2023 final.

as.com

Less than half an hour to go to kick-off as fans start to take their seats at the Estadio de la Plata.

as.com

La Plata final weather

It's a fresh but clear night in the Argentine city with a temperature of 9C-49F expected at kick-off with 0% chance of rain during the contest.

as.com

Extra time and penalties a possibility

Given Uruguay’s mean defence at the tournament so far - the South Americans have kept five clean sheets out of a possible six - we expect this to be a tight, low-scoring affair.

This could go all the way.. 120 minutes a possibility with even a shoot out on the cards if we don't have a winner after potential extra time.

as.com

La Celeste XI announced

Marcelo Bari has named his team ahead of the final with Duarte and De Los Santos two of the key players to keep an eye on.

as.com

Italy XI confirmed

Carmine Nunziata has named his side ahead of the final with free-kick specialist Pafundi and top scorer in the tournament Casadei on seven goals.

as.com

Both teams played in 2017 in the U20 competition with La Celeste winning the Group D game 0-1 but Italy secured a revenge of sorts with a 1-4 penalty win to secure the bronze medal.

as.com

The Estadio de la Plata is a 53,000 seater stadium which has hosted games for both Argentina rugby and soccer teams and has also hosted a series of concerts with the likes of U2, Guns n' Roses and Metallica packing out the stadium.

as.com

With both semi-final games and the earlier 3/4th place games being played at the Estadio La Plata, the playing surface has taken something of a battering and is not in great shape.


Fingers crossed the state of the pitch doesn't hamper the final.

as.com
Who is Simone Pafundi? The scorer of the free-kick that send Italy to the U20 World Cup final

Pafundi’s late goal in Italy’s 2-1 win over South Korea in the Under-20 World Cup sent his side to the final.

as.com

Italy do start tonight's game as favourites with all eyes set to fall on Cesare Casadei. 

The Chelsea player is currently on loan at EFL side Reading but has hit the headlines in Argentina with his goal scoring prowess. 

as.com

Israel claim bronze

Very much surprise package of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Israel have claimed the bronze medal at the competition with a 3-1 win over South Korea.

as.com

U20 WC final: referee

Swedish match official Glenn Nyberg has been enlisted to oversee the action tonight in La Plata. The 35-year-old became a professional referee in 2008 and has overseen Allsvenskan games since 2013 and a full international referee for FIFA since 2016

as.com

Italy expects

Anticipation is high in Italy ahead of the U20 final with the senior team in action next week in the UEFA Nations League Final Four which will be staged in the Netherlands.

as.com

Uruguay dressing room ready

The South American side will sport their classic sky blue shirts for the final in La Plata tonight.

as.com

Road to the final: Italy

Carmine Nunziata's side finished second in their group behind Brazil and overcame England in the Round of 16 clash. Colombia were beaten in the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win and a goal from tournament top marksman Cesare Casadei helped the Azzurri on their way to a 2-1 semi-final triumph over South Korea.

as.com

Road to the final: Uruguay

After a second place finish in Group E, La Celeste needed a late winner to overcome Gambia in the Round of 16. The South Americans delivered a major shock in easing past the highly fancied US team with a comprehensive 2-0 quarter-final win before beating tournament surprise package Israel in the semi-final with a Duarte goal in the 61st minutes enough to separate the teams.

as.com

Italy: team news

Italy are expected to field the same side that eliminated South Korea at the semi-final stage with super sub Simone Pafundi expected to be called upon in the second half.

as.com

Uruguay: team news

Uruguay head coach Marcelo Broli has a welcome selection headache as Luciano Rodriguez is back at his disposal, having served a two-game ban, while Andres Ferrari returned from injury in the semi-finals, coming on at half-time and helping to turn the game. Juan de los Santos and Anderson Duarte, both of whom began Argentina 2023 on the bench, have seemingly made starting spots their own, so the Uruguay coach could elect to bench Ignacio Sosa and turn a 4-5-1 into a 4-4-2.

as.com

Whatever the outcome tonight in La Plata, a new name will be engraved on the trophy with neither Uruguay or Italy previous winners.

La Celeste made the final in 1997 and 2103 but were on the losing end with Italy securing the bronze medal in 2017.

as.com

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA U20 World Cup final as Uruguay face Italy in La Plata (Argentina).

as.com